Father Christmas

Written by: Ray Davies

Published by: Davray Music, Ltd.

Chord file

Lyrics:

When I was small I believed in Santa Claus
Though I knew it was my dad
And I would hang up my stocking at Christmas
Open my presents and I'd be glad

But the last time I played Father Christmas
I stood outside a department store
A gang of kids came over and mugged me
And knocked my reindeer to the floor

They said:
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys.
We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys

Don't give my brother a Steve Austin outfit
Don't give my sister a cuddly toy
We don't want a jigsaw or monopoly money
We only want the real McCoy

Father Christmas, give us some money
We'll beat you up if you make us annoyed
Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys

But give my daddy a job 'cause he needs one
He's got lots of mouths to feed
But if you've got one, I'll have a machine gun
So I can scare all the kids down the street

Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys

Have yourself a merry merry Christmas
Have yourself a good time
But remember the kids who got nothin'
While you're drinkin' down your wine

Father Christmas, give us some money
We got no time for your silly toys
Father Christmas, please hand it over
We'll beat you up, so don't make us annoyed

Father Christmas, give us some money
Don't mess around with those silly toys
We'll beat you up if you don't hand it over
We want your bread, so don't make us annoyed
Give all the toys to the little rich boys

This song can be found on the following releases:

stereo mix (3:39), recorded Dec 1976 or Oct 1977 at Konk Studios, Hornsey, London
Father Christmas/Prince Of The Punks 25 Nov, 1977 UK Arista ARISTA 153 7" vinyl single, 45 RPM
Father Christmas/Prince Of The Punks 8 Dec, 1977 USA Arista AS 0296 7" vinyl single, 45 RPM
Father Christmas/(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman Feb 1980 USA Flashback (Arista) FLB 106 7" vinyl single, 45 RPM
Come Dancing With The Kinks/The Best Of The Kinks 1977-1986 Jun 1986 USA Arista A2CD-8428 CD
Come Dancing With The Kinks/The Best Of The Kinks 1977-1986 1986 Brazil Arista/BMG (unknown) 12" vinyl 2-LP set (double album), 33 1/3 RPM
Come Dancing With The Kinks/The Best Of The Kinks 1977-1986 2 Jun, 1986 USA Arista AL11-8428 12" vinyl 2-LP set (double album), 33 1/3 RPM
Come Dancing With The Kinks/The Best Of The Kinks 1977-1986 Oct 1986 UK Arista 302 778 12" vinyl 2-LP set (double album), 33 1/3 RPM
Father Christmas 3 Jan, 1989 USA Arista CD3-3004 3" CD
Misfits 24 Nov, 1998 USA Konk/Velvel 63467-79726-2 CD
Come Dancing With The Kinks/The Best Of The Kinks 1977-1986 24 Oct, 2000 USA Konk/Velvel/Koch VEL-79733 CD
Misfits 24 Aug, 2004 USA Konk/Koch VEL-SC-79802 SACD (hybrid)
Greatest Hits 1970-1986 30 Oct, 2007 USA Konk/Velvel/Koch Records VEL-79822 3 CD set
Picture Book 8 Dec, 2008 UK Universal/Sanctuary 5313049 Multi CD box set
The Essential Kinks 14 Oct 2014 USA RCA/Arista/Legacy (Sony Music) 88843066622 2 CD set

live, stereo mix (2:26), recorded 24 Dec, 1977 at Rainbow Theatre, London
The Kinks At The BBC - Radio & TV Sessions And Concerts: 1964-1994 13 Aug 2012 UK Sanctuary Records/Universal Music 279 721-8 Multi CD box set

live, stereo mix, recorded 23 May, 2003 at Alex Theatre, Glendale, California
Transformation - Live At The Alex Theatre 6 Aug, 2003 USA Meta Media MM06 CD
Transformation - Live At The Alex Theatre 5 Sep, 2005 UK Angel Air Records SJPCD212 CD

2023 stereo mix (3:42), recorded Dec 1976 or Oct 1977 at Konk Studios, Hornsey, London
Father Christmas (2023 Mix) 10 Nov 2023 USA Sanctuary Records Group/BMG E-single (download only)

2023 stereo instrumental mix (3:42), recorded Dec 1976 or Oct 1977 at Konk Studios, Hornsey, London
Father Christmas (2023 Mix) 10 Nov 2023 USA Sanctuary Records Group/BMG E-single (download only)

2023 Dolby Atmos mix (3:42), recorded Dec 1976 or Oct 1977 at Konk Studios, Hornsey, London
Father Christmas (2023 Dolby Atmos Mix) 10 Nov 2023 USA Sanctuary Records Group/BMG E-single (download only)

2023 Dolby Atmos instrumental mix (3:42), recorded Dec 1976 or Oct 1977 at Konk Studios, Hornsey, London
Father Christmas (2023 Dolby Atmos Mix) 10 Nov 2023 USA Sanctuary Records Group/BMG E-single (download only)


KindaKinks.net
E-mail Dave Emlen