Must be Santa

Who's got a beard
That's long and white?
Santa's got a beard
That's long and white

Who comes around
On a special night?
Santa comes around
On a special night

Special night
Beard that's white

Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Santa Claus

Who wears boots
And a suit of red?
Santa wears boots
And a suit of red

Who wears a long cap
On his head?
Santa wears a long cap
On his head

Cap on head
Suit that's red
Special night
Beard that's white

Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Santa Claus

Who's got a big red
Cherry nose?
Santa's got a big red
Cherry nose

Who laughs this way
Ho, ho, ho?
Santa laughs this way
Ho, ho, ho

Ho, ho, ho
Cherry nose
Cap on head
Suit that's red
Special night
Beard that's white

Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Santa Claus

Who very soon
Will come our way?
Santa very soon
Will come our way

Eight little reindeer
Pull his sleigh
Santa's little reindeer
Pull his sleigh

Reindeer sleigh
Come our way
Ho, ho, ho
Cherry nose
Cap on head
Suit that's red
Special night
Beard that's white

Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Santa Claus

Dasher, Dancer
Prancer, Vixen
Comet, Cupid
Donner
And Blitzen

Reindeer sleigh
Come our way
Ho, ho, ho
Cherry nose
Cap on head
Suit that's red
Special night
Beard that's white

Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Must be Santa
Santa Claus



Links to the youtube video of the song :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVs6X9yIM_k and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTgqnXae2LQ

Comments :
Yes, I know, it isn’t much of a poem, but it’s the day after Christmas and Bob Dylan has sung the latest version of this song.

The first time I caught this version of the song on vh1 I loved it – it has a lively beat that makes you want to get up and dance immediately, the video shows a rollicking rambunctious Christmas party going on, there’s Santa bobbing about somewhere and it’s everything you’d think a jolly Christmas song should be. Except that it’s been sung by Bob Dylan – which is so unexpected that one gapes at the TV screen in shock as the credits roll.

The first thing I thought of was the movie ‘Love Actually’ and the ageing rockstar singing a mushy Christmas song. But then my faith in Dylan (and his cynicism) made me check the lyrics online, hoping that he had changed the lyrics in some manner. But apparently he has not; however, all of Dylan’s royalties from the album benefit Feeding America and other international charities. So I guess that explains the upbeat all-is-well-with-the-world song.

Anyway, since it is the end of the year, and the time to celebrate, go check out the video on youtube, buy the album, and if you discover a twist in the lyrics, let me know. - Zen

Links for reviews of the song :
http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/11/16/premiere-bob-dylans-must-be-santa-video-from-christmas-lp/
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2009/11/18/bob-dylans-must-be-santa-video-the-hairs-fake-but-the-dancings-real/
http://outtheother.typepad.com/blog/2009/12/xmas-radio-bob-dylan-must-be-santa.html