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Column: It’s Christmas Eve Outside

Editor Terry Farrell offers a musical Christmas column

As many readers know, since my arrival in 2014, I have used the final column before Christmas to offer season’s greetings to the Comox Valley, always in verse.

On previous years, I have written my own rendition of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.

This year I’ve taken it a step further. In addition to the column, I’ve created a video, with my wife, Erica, where we “sing” the column.

Once I decided to take that step, the only remaining question was the tune.

The internet answered that a few weeks ago, with all the fuss over the Christmas song Baby It’s Cold Outside.

People were screaming for its removal from the airwaves. I thought, rather than remove the music, why not just change the lyrics? And so I did. And with an enormous effort from the Comox Valley’s favourite duo, Easy Street, we produced a video.

Here is my Christmas wish to you, Comox Valley.

***

Where are all the cars?

(It’s Christmas Eve outside.)

Not parked at the bars?

(It’s Christmas Eve outside.)

This year sure has been

(Been lots of news this year)

What a year we have seen

(Good and bad news - you read it all here.)

So many things to report

(Where do we begin?)

Fires and crashes and court

(Do we have to recap all that?)

Sports and music and more

(So much to recollect)

Maybe just the highlights right now

(Let me put my thinking cap on)

Elections galore

(Oh lots of news there this year)

New mayors and more

(Changes galore this year)

Mayor Bob in the city

(The guy with the shades)

And Russ Arnott takes over the town

(That Comox council looks so young)

Leslie Baird survived a challenge

(No surprise in Cumberland)

But a new face in Area B

(Arzeena pulled off the upset)

But they’re all off for the week

((‘Cause it’s Christmas Eve outside.))

Proportional rep

(Oh wasn’t that real ‘lit’)

Emotions were high

(The referendum was a hit)

The voters replied

(Over 40 per cent)

I was surprised

(Good turnout despite the postal strike)

Now we await the results

(I wonder what’s taking so long)

Will we have a new way to vote

(Was the old way really broke?)

Let’s change the subject, end the debate

((‘Cause it’s Christmas Eve outside.))

Did you see the bright trucks?

(The Christmas light trucks you mean?)

They’re back on the roads

(Last year’s decision was mean)

The new guy agreed

(I like our new guy)

He brought back Christmas cheer

(The RCMP are cool this year)

The honking was loud

(People waved from their homes)

The Food Bank was so proud

(People gave from their homes)

Christmas spirit was evident

(The Comox Valley is always so kind)

So I’m here all alone

(It’s Christmas Eve outside.)

My staff has gone home

(It’s Christmas Eve outside.)

I guess I could go

(Yes, go)

OK I will

(I’m sure there’s plenty to do at home)

I have one more thing to say

(I’m not surprised in the least way)

I wish you all well this holiday.

So be happy and safe

((‘Cause it’s Christmas Eve

outside.))

Terry Farrell is the editor of the Comox Valley Record



terry.farrell@blackpress.ca

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