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Rick Berlin - I HATE CHRISTMAS

from CATHEDRAL by Rick Berlin (now playing w/ THE NICKEL & DIME BAND)

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about

This song, I HATE CHRISTMAS, is a somewhat true story. I had a 6 month job in Quincy years ago as a house attendant at a group home for delinquent kids. 24 hours on. 24 off. (It was a rough ride. The money I saved up from working there I spent on an upright piano, hoisted into my 3rd floor apartment in Somerville. Orchestra Luna songs and band were born there.) One of the kids (pictured here) was a twin. His parents favored his brother. If the kid I knew was late coming downstairs for his presents, all of em went to his brother. He also, out of love for his favored twin, took a rap for him and went to jail. I visited him at Charles Street back when it was a jail and not some fawncy/ugly hotel. 'BCN played this song a lot back in the non-corporate day.
Recorded in the Cars' studio. Barry Marshall producer, engineer

lyrics

I HATE CHRISTMAS

I hate Christmas, my brother gets everything
my Mama come home she was so damn drunk
you should have herad her sing
“Silent Night, Holy Night...”
alone outside my door
was I supposed to apologize?
I didn’t know for sure

cus it’s their fault, the way I feel
at Christmas every year
old man, I’ve had enough ,I cried out all my tears

Marry Christmas, Marry Christmas, Marry Christmas, Marry Christmas

My brother Davy was a perfect kid, he always made the team
Mama went to PTS, Daddy bounced him on his knee
but I was the Black Sheep, they had to call the cops
sent me off to DYS with name tags on my socks

cuz it’s their fault...Marry Christmas...

This rock n roll haircut I got it after school
my Dad he said “hey cut that off, you live here by my rules”
& I said “hey Dad,” & I looked at him,
“I paid for this myself. It’s a photograph of your little Davy
when he was only 12.”

& it’s your fault, I’m tellin you, that he’s not here today
you sent him off to fight a war you raised him up that way

Oh I love you, you must believe it’s true. I’m the only thing you got tonight
that’s gonna get you through the night oh

Merry CHristmas, Marry Christmas, Marry Christmas, Marry Christmas
Maybe things will chagne when I get home tonight.
Maybe things will really change this time
Maybe things will change when I get home tonight.
Maybe love will change the world this time
Marry Christmas...

credits

from CATHEDRAL, released July 12, 1999
Jane Mangini (piano)
Julie Woods (vocal)
Nancy Adams (vocal)
Steven Paul Perry (guitar/vocal)
Barry Marshall (kit)
Chet Cahill (bass)
Andy Baer (soprano sax)
Berlin (song/vox)

Recorded at Synchrosound
Barry Marshall engineer/producer
Re-Mastered by Brian Charles

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all rights reserved

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Rick Berlin (now playing w/ THE NICKEL & DIME BAND) image

Rick Berlin (now playing w/ THE NICKEL & DIME BAND) Jamaica Plain

A giant on the Boston music scene. His colorful songwriting + strong stage presence have influenced countless other artists since the early 1970s. He continues to make music w/ intelligence + integrity, building an international reputation around his knotty, singular piano playing, straight-from-the-heart singing and a style of character-based songwriting that's drawn comparisons to Waits + Cohen ... more

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