When Christmastime is over and the New Year begins,
We’re into January with its snow and biting wind,
The shops are full of offers and sales and good galore,
And we think about next Christmas and cheap presents we can store.
Like the boy scouts “Be prepared”.
Now into February all dark and grey and cold,
We find some Christmas paper that’s slightly tarnished gold,
‘twill do for wrapping parcels for distant friends and such,
like Auntie Gertie and Uncle Bert who we don’t see very much.
Like boy scouts “Be prepared”.
March comes in like a lion with the winds a’ howling round,
We look at Christmas greetings on some old cards we have found.
Out come the pinking scissors, bits of ribbon, coloured string,
We’ll make some nice bright labels we can tie on everything.
Like boy scouts “Be prepared”.
Now April comes and springtime and we fee that we should start.
To knit a nice pullover for a favourite sweetheart;
If we don’t begin in April we’ll never get it done,
And Christmas is upon us when we’ve only just begun.
Like the boy scouts “Be prepared”.
“Well what of May?” I hear you say, well Eastertime is over,
Well if we visit more spring sales we’ll be really be in clover.
We’ve spent more than we meant to, buying gifts we can’t remember,
We’ll probably have lost them when it comes round to December!
Still like boy scouts “Be prepared.”
Now June means holidays for us, we won’t pack up too much.
We’ll leave behind those little things, like shoes and coats and such.
We must leave room to carry home those gifts to put away,
We can say “That came from Scarborough” when it comes to Christmas Day
Like boy scouts “Be prepared.”
July, well now we’re halfway through the changing year,
We’d better think of clothing and all our winter gear.
‘cos now we’re into summer the sandals are all gone,
And shops are into winter boots, “Buy it now it won’t be long!”
Like boy scouts “Be prepared.”
August and school holidays, the kids are all at sea,
It rains all day for half the week “O where can summer be?”
Never mind “let’s make some Christmas cards to pass the time away.”
We start and then the sun comes out and they all rush out to play.
Like boy scouts we’re now getting prepared.
Ah September back to school and we can have some peace,
And we can do some shopping without “I want, O please.”
We’ll get the main ingredients for cake and puddings too,
And homemade mincemeat will be nice it isn’t hard to do.
Like boy scouts “Be prepared.”
October, O good gracious the year is flying past,
There’s only two more months to go we think of it aghast.
Now let me see, there’s cards to write that must be sent abroad,
Where on earth did we put them? O well we’ll have to buy some more.
Well we tried to be prepared.
November comes upon us with bazaars and autumn fairs,
We cook the puds and cakes and store them underneath the stairs.
There’s all the presents to sort out, to find out who has what,
There’s far too much for him and her but for them there’s “Not a lot!”
But we’re still getting prepared.
And now we’re in December and everything’s at “Go!”
There’s sweets and nuts and fruit to buy and shops are all aglow;
With tempting offers “Come and buy, it’s only thirty quid!”
Now did we get a tie or socks for dear old Uncle Syd?
I’m glad I’m not even the wishbone though folk thinks it’s lucky to hold.
Then break both your legs by pulling, then expect wishes granted, that’s bold!
No, on the whole trappings of Christmas, hold disaster discomfort and doom,
But looking around me I’m happy, just to be me in this room.
Expecting the Christchild’s arrival and knowing He’ll come and He’ll save
He’ll love me with all of my weakness and He’ll love me right up to the grave.
So I’m glad I’m not tinsel or turkey or all of those transitory things,
For I know my life can be eternal, and that is why my heart sings.
