Precisely why Fred Rogers, of blessed memory, wanted that song removed from the traditional Christmas playlist. He saw it as an invasion of children’s privacy. Probably didn’t like the idea that “God sees everything you do” either. (And since he was a Rev. himself I’m gonna go with his take on things.)
As far as I can make out, that part of the song is based on a nasty European tradition of having a guy playing Santa coming to community Christmas parties or going door to door calling out the sins of little children. Oh gee, Katrin still wets her bed and Hansel didn’t want to finish his oatmeal. Of course this is all a conspiracy with the parents ratting on their kids, but when you’re two or three (or even older) this is scary enough to make you soil yourself. The whole thing is played for laughs and the kids’ fears are ridiculed and shamed.
That song is not scary! You want scary? Try the legends of Black Peter and/or Krampus! Most of Europe has Krampus. He is a demon that St. Nickolas converted. He travels with the Saint during the holidays. While St. Nickolas hands out gifts and candy to good children… Krampus is the opposite. As Black Peter… he is dressed as a 16th century Moor. As in the Spanish Inquisition. Where adults would be dragged off and never to come back… or not back anywhere close to the same. Krampus has a basket on his back to carry away the bad children. The basket shares space with bundles of sticks… to which he can whip the errant children with.
When my family was in Germany… my brother saw one of his classmates be carried off. A couple of hours later the boy was back… crying. And he could not sit for a couple of hours. BTW – the parents are the ones who suggest what children get to be examples of what will happen. Some just get a long lecture. This boy was a bad boy who was a bully in school.
I quite agree that all the Xmas stuff gets dragged out too early and it all goes on too long. But that’s marketing. Here in Australia they have just started having “Black Friday” sales, even though we don’t do Thanksgiving.
And decorations are often still up long after Twelfth Night.
The shocked expressions in panel three are priceless! You’d expect to see Santa sat outside in a black ops surveillance van with headphones and a video feed! Betta’ watch out! :D
For those who are feeling a bit jaded about Xmas, I suggest that, close to Xmas Eve, you get hold of a couple of small children (shouldn’t be difficult – there are plenty of them around) and drive them round to see the best displays of Xmas lights in your neighbourhood. That will cheer you up a bit. Might cheer the children up, too.
In related news, it’s impossible to see the Elf on a Shelf as anything but the normalisation of a surveillance state … why yes, I do read too much sociological theory, why do you ask?
I used to complain about the song “The Most Wonderful Time Of the Year,” mainly because of the line about telling “scary ghost stories.” I mean, who does that during the holidays? So after years of complaining, I finally looked it up. Turns out, telling scary ghost stories WAS a holiday tradition, during the Victorian era. This probably explains why the most popular holiday ghost story, A Christmas Carol, became such a hit and a classic.
Just in case you folks have forgotten, I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you of an age old tradition that people might’ve forgotten. The tradition of feeding Christmas cakes and other goodies to bears. A great tradition to be observed which signifies sharing your food with poor hungry creatures, especially bears. Don’t forget it now, folks.
My first thought was this may explain the teaser panel Georgia shared of Puck writing a letter to Santa. Maybe he’s pleading his case … as well as that of the rest of the BCN crew!
I recall once, my human kitten was about 3-ish, she wanted a potty tent. To hide in. Because santa was rude to watch,,, I explained that potty time, Santa was busy feeding the reindeer.
A lot of these songs that were “cute” sound a lot more creepy as I get older. “I’ll be watching you” is about a stalker. The Beatles “Run For Your Life” is horrifying. I didn’t see it then, but I do now!
If you want a comedic take on the subject, check out Ray Stevens song Santa Claus is Watching You. It is hilarious. Straight No Chasers song The Christmas Can-Can is spot on too.
Birthday of General Georgy Zhukov: Considered by Dwight D. Eisenhower as the man who won WWII in Europe. Never mind his politics, he was a brilliant commander, and without him, the war would have lasted years longer, and cost far more lives.
Rosa Parks Day: The mother of desegregation, and a shining example to all of “how it’s done.”
Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day: I wear trifocals, and if it weren’t for a set of clip-on magnifying lenses I could barely use the computer at all. I should not post the link here, so if you are in similar straits, post here and we’ll figure something out.
Giving (Back) Tuesday: A far better day than the two celebrating excessive consumption. If you can, give something to those in need, even if all you can afford is a word of encouragement.
National Christmas Lights Day: A good day to turn on the ones inside, like Puck. They will help you keep warm while you freeze to death hanging the ones outside.
National Pie Day: Oh dear Cat, haven’t we had enough, already?! URP!
Wear a Dress Day: Sorry, I don’t have one. Does a nightshirt count?
Back when I worked retail, there was a set mix of Christmas songs – mostly contemporary covers of classics – that we played nonstop between November 1 and January 1. One of the covers was, I swear, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” with the iconic bass line of “Another One Bites the Dust.” Be good or else, kids!
Trying to decide if Puck’s showing joy in the last panel, or if he’s joining Lupin in the boy in terror knowing he’s been a bad boy at some time this year. (Maybe the zoomies incident?)
My dear Mega-Orb, this is not for me. It’s a signal boost for a close friend. Anything at all will help!!! She has to pay her entire storage bill ($417) by tomorrow, or she will lose everything. (I have some things in that unit as well! But that’s not the point.) I am putting in everything I had saved back, so she is up to $350.
I don’t ever want her to have to go through this again. I have a plan to help her in the future. I’ll tell more about this later, I just want to get this signal boost out there. paypal.me/IloraGarden is fine (she is out of town and I will be handling the actual payment to the office).
Le'letha Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Not a big fan of popular Christmas music. See you guys Wednesday.
deadheadzan almost 4 years ago
That little song is true terror!!
JLChi almost 4 years ago
I love Christmas music! I start listening on Thanksgiving and won’t stop until January. And I love the Woman’s Santa puppet(?).
But that “he sees you when you’re sleeping” threat always struck me as just a bit more creepy than merry.
McColl34 Premium Member almost 4 years ago
That part of the song does get a little creepy if you think about it too much. Luckily, I never did when I was little.
Jayfbird1969 Premium Member almost 4 years ago
I guess them kids better watch themselves since Santa has a secret police force. Maybe it’s those elves on shelves. Spooky.
Strob Premium Member almost 4 years ago
“Run for your life if you can” before Jack Frost starts nipping at your nose!
marilynnbyerly almost 4 years ago
“I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” always creeped me out.
Sue Ellen almost 4 years ago
I never understood why Santa would care when I was sleeping or awake except on Christmas Eve.
lopaka almost 4 years ago
Just think of the nusery rhymes. Such as ‘ring around the roses’
Aspen_Bell almost 4 years ago
Precisely why Fred Rogers, of blessed memory, wanted that song removed from the traditional Christmas playlist. He saw it as an invasion of children’s privacy. Probably didn’t like the idea that “God sees everything you do” either. (And since he was a Rev. himself I’m gonna go with his take on things.)
As far as I can make out, that part of the song is based on a nasty European tradition of having a guy playing Santa coming to community Christmas parties or going door to door calling out the sins of little children. Oh gee, Katrin still wets her bed and Hansel didn’t want to finish his oatmeal. Of course this is all a conspiracy with the parents ratting on their kids, but when you’re two or three (or even older) this is scary enough to make you soil yourself. The whole thing is played for laughs and the kids’ fears are ridiculed and shamed.
http://www.neighborhoodarchive.com/publications/newsletters/atn0106/index.html
I Mad Am I almost 4 years ago
That song is not scary! You want scary? Try the legends of Black Peter and/or Krampus! Most of Europe has Krampus. He is a demon that St. Nickolas converted. He travels with the Saint during the holidays. While St. Nickolas hands out gifts and candy to good children… Krampus is the opposite. As Black Peter… he is dressed as a 16th century Moor. As in the Spanish Inquisition. Where adults would be dragged off and never to come back… or not back anywhere close to the same. Krampus has a basket on his back to carry away the bad children. The basket shares space with bundles of sticks… to which he can whip the errant children with.
When my family was in Germany… my brother saw one of his classmates be carried off. A couple of hours later the boy was back… crying. And he could not sit for a couple of hours. BTW – the parents are the ones who suggest what children get to be examples of what will happen. Some just get a long lecture. This boy was a bad boy who was a bully in school.
Robin Harwood almost 4 years ago
Lupin knows that he’s doomed.
Robin Harwood almost 4 years ago
@ buflogal
I quite agree that all the Xmas stuff gets dragged out too early and it all goes on too long. But that’s marketing. Here in Australia they have just started having “Black Friday” sales, even though we don’t do Thanksgiving.
And decorations are often still up long after Twelfth Night.
Lady Bri almost 4 years ago
The shocked expressions in panel three are priceless! You’d expect to see Santa sat outside in a black ops surveillance van with headphones and a video feed! Betta’ watch out! :D
ctlum almost 4 years ago
Yikes, the panic on those little faces!
Robin Harwood almost 4 years ago
For those who are feeling a bit jaded about Xmas, I suggest that, close to Xmas Eve, you get hold of a couple of small children (shouldn’t be difficult – there are plenty of them around) and drive them round to see the best displays of Xmas lights in your neighbourhood. That will cheer you up a bit. Might cheer the children up, too.
Gent almost 4 years ago
That’s right, folks. Santa Claus is a tracking bot. Now it all makes sense why he’s always after COOKIES.
WelshRat Premium Member almost 4 years ago
The evil of the National Santa Association… You’ll find agents in most department stores and shopping centres (most years)
catmom1360 almost 4 years ago
The two who probably have been bad show up in last panel. Puck smiling because he’s always good.
catmom1360 almost 4 years ago
Too many negative comments on this page. A lot of cranky people. Some of us love Christmas.
ronaldalbertansley almost 4 years ago
those crazy kitty are allway bad !!
Jungle Empress almost 4 years ago
But but, they are all Very Good Boys!
some idiot from R'lyeh Premium Member almost 4 years ago
In related news, it’s impossible to see the Elf on a Shelf as anything but the normalisation of a surveillance state … why yes, I do read too much sociological theory, why do you ask?
bluegirl285 almost 4 years ago
I used to complain about the song “The Most Wonderful Time Of the Year,” mainly because of the line about telling “scary ghost stories.” I mean, who does that during the holidays? So after years of complaining, I finally looked it up. Turns out, telling scary ghost stories WAS a holiday tradition, during the Victorian era. This probably explains why the most popular holiday ghost story, A Christmas Carol, became such a hit and a classic.
Gent almost 4 years ago
Just in case you folks have forgotten, I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you of an age old tradition that people might’ve forgotten. The tradition of feeding Christmas cakes and other goodies to bears. A great tradition to be observed which signifies sharing your food with poor hungry creatures, especially bears. Don’t forget it now, folks.
artchick530 almost 4 years ago
My first thought was this may explain the teaser panel Georgia shared of Puck writing a letter to Santa. Maybe he’s pleading his case … as well as that of the rest of the BCN crew!
hgmtf almost 4 years ago
tis my bithday today
arolarson Premium Member almost 4 years ago
OT. Yen
cat19632001 almost 4 years ago
Lupin toe beans!
SusieB almost 4 years ago
I thought Lupin was deaf?
rs0204 Premium Member almost 4 years ago
He see’s you when you’re sleeping…. He knows when you’re awake…. He knows if you’ve been bad or good…
Santa – Kindly old elf or CIA spook?*
*With respect to Bill Watterson and his wonderful strip Calvin & Hobbes
Miss Mina almost 4 years ago
Pucky shouldn’t worry — he’s alwasy good, for goodness sake! Lupin, on the other hand…
rs0204 Premium Member almost 4 years ago
I figure Lupin is already hard at work on his appellate case, but Pucky? Isn’t he kind of the Mr. Rogers of the group?
cat19632001 almost 4 years ago
Back of Santa Head!
Major Matt Mason Premium Member almost 4 years ago
You better watch out
You better not cry
You’re gonna get a visit
From the FBI
Santa Claus is watching your town!
keltii almost 4 years ago
I recall once, my human kitten was about 3-ish, she wanted a potty tent. To hide in. Because santa was rude to watch,,, I explained that potty time, Santa was busy feeding the reindeer.
Map_One almost 4 years ago
I love Robot Santa in “Futurama.” You had to stay inside and secure your home so Robot Santa couldn’t come in and kill you.
annqueue almost 4 years ago
I did not need that earworm.
Santana almost 4 years ago
If I could turn back time
If I could find a way
I’d take back those deeds that were naughty and obey
I don’t know why I do the things I do
I don’t know why I say the things I speak
If I’d have known you were watchin’, I’d freak
But Santa, please turn your other rosy cheek
I didn’t really mean to be bad
I don’t wanna get no coal
I’ve been mostly good, doncha know
If I could turn back time, if I could find a way
I’d take back those deeds that were naughty, without delay
If I could change your list, my good would come through
Then you’d gift me, gift me, like I want you to
If I could turn back time
(Diane Warren for Cher)
❤️ Cher rescued Kaavan, the “world’s loneliest elephant” ❤️
Puck (BCN) almost 4 years ago
Santa is an anagram for SATIN.
cat19632001 almost 4 years ago
That last panel is making me hear the screeching violins from “Psycho.”
Pokemon Fan almost 4 years ago
The, He knows when you sleeping/awake part of the song scares me!
Ignatz Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Santa is a stalker.
leapin' lupin almost 4 years ago
night of the santa terror!
prrdh almost 4 years ago
Santa the stalker.
mistercatworks almost 4 years ago
Creepy Yuletide surveillance.
Code the Enforcer almost 4 years ago
Big Santa is watching YOU !!! … :)
ocarol7 Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Awww… Pucky dancing along in panel 2-
Neeeol almost 4 years ago
A lot of these songs that were “cute” sound a lot more creepy as I get older. “I’ll be watching you” is about a stalker. The Beatles “Run For Your Life” is horrifying. I didn’t see it then, but I do now!
Slappy Squirrel almost 4 years ago
If you want a comedic take on the subject, check out Ray Stevens song Santa Claus is Watching You. It is hilarious. Straight No Chasers song The Christmas Can-Can is spot on too.
anomalous4 almost 4 years ago
OT: Do not let moose lick your car!
christineracine77 almost 4 years ago
Even Good Boy Puck is aghast at the implications.
Nuliajuk almost 4 years ago
Every breath you take
Every move you make
I’ll be watching you <:-(
Susanna Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Georgia posted a picture of some sketches she is working on for the mask for Zazzle:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIOTIyyJKZo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
leapin' lupin almost 4 years ago
GASP GASP GASP GASP GASP GASP GASP GASP GASP GASP GASP GASP GASP GASP!
scaeva Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Today is:
Birthday of General Georgy Zhukov: Considered by Dwight D. Eisenhower as the man who won WWII in Europe. Never mind his politics, he was a brilliant commander, and without him, the war would have lasted years longer, and cost far more lives.
Rosa Parks Day: The mother of desegregation, and a shining example to all of “how it’s done.”
Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day: I wear trifocals, and if it weren’t for a set of clip-on magnifying lenses I could barely use the computer at all. I should not post the link here, so if you are in similar straits, post here and we’ll figure something out.
Giving (Back) Tuesday: A far better day than the two celebrating excessive consumption. If you can, give something to those in need, even if all you can afford is a word of encouragement.
National Christmas Lights Day: A good day to turn on the ones inside, like Puck. They will help you keep warm while you freeze to death hanging the ones outside.
National Pie Day: Oh dear Cat, haven’t we had enough, already?! URP!
Wear a Dress Day: Sorry, I don’t have one. Does a nightshirt count?
willie_mctell almost 4 years ago
My ex-musical co-conspirator Mugg Muggles always sang it as, “He’ll seize you when you’re sleeping.” in a faux Shakespearean ham voice.
One Serious Cat almost 4 years ago
Well, Pucky will have no trouble being good for goodness’ sake, but Lupin is appalled at the challenge ahead for him.
Joan Tinnin Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Our daughter, when young, would get this sung to her every year before Christmas. She HATED it!
cat19632001 almost 4 years ago
Back of Lupin head!
nerd warning almost 4 years ago
Aw, lupin’s “wait what” is really funny.Santa knows about your shenanigans, lupin.
*inster something here* almost 4 years ago
Ever since thanksgiving I got so many Christmas songs stuck in my head
bobw2012 almost 4 years ago
On a more pleasant note, I just noticed that Georgia is drawing 5 fingers on peoples hands.
literarylottie almost 4 years ago
Back when I worked retail, there was a set mix of Christmas songs – mostly contemporary covers of classics – that we played nonstop between November 1 and January 1. One of the covers was, I swear, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” with the iconic bass line of “Another One Bites the Dust.” Be good or else, kids!
Daeder almost 4 years ago
♪ He knows when you’re on counters ♪
♪ He sees the things you break ♪
♪ He knows just when and where you puked ♪
♪ So be good for catness sake! ♪
almost 4 years ago
He strikes when you least expect it.
Maizing almost 4 years ago
I’ve switched to my Christmas playlist. Love listening to O Holy Night sung in Navajo and Silent Night in Arapaho, etc.
coffeeturtle almost 4 years ago
Peeping Toms & Stalkers, UNITE!
devilsfly almost 4 years ago
santa: kindly old elf or CIA spook
cjinvictoria almost 4 years ago
OT – cat introduction advice needed (cross posted in Ten Cats)
NWdryad almost 4 years ago
I’ve always thought that was a creepy little song.
knight1192a almost 4 years ago
Trying to decide if Puck’s showing joy in the last panel, or if he’s joining Lupin in the boy in terror knowing he’s been a bad boy at some time this year. (Maybe the zoomies incident?)
Hedgehog almost 4 years ago
Pucky doin’ the Christmas Twist!
Font Lady Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Wish him luck: my oldest boy is going to a job interview tomorrow for an accounting position.
Mr. Reader almost 4 years ago
This reminds me of when the bad guys comes into a piano bar, everyone is having a good time and then things drop off and then go wrong.
Mr. Reader almost 4 years ago
(elvis leaps out of nowhere to protect the girl)
Aspen_Bell almost 4 years ago
My dear Mega-Orb, this is not for me. It’s a signal boost for a close friend. Anything at all will help!!! She has to pay her entire storage bill ($417) by tomorrow, or she will lose everything. (I have some things in that unit as well! But that’s not the point.) I am putting in everything I had saved back, so she is up to $350.
I don’t ever want her to have to go through this again. I have a plan to help her in the future. I’ll tell more about this later, I just want to get this signal boost out there. paypal.me/IloraGarden is fine (she is out of town and I will be handling the actual payment to the office).
marni.bennett almost 4 years ago
Christmas songs are creepy when you think about them too much.
DamonHill1 almost 4 years ago
What we need next is a Santa doll with LED eyes, that look straight through you. That’ll mess with their heads! Ah, Christmas guilt!
lim95 almost 4 years ago
When you think about it, Santa should go to jail for breaking and entering every single house/apartment on earth.
lim95 almost 4 years ago
How is Santa not on FBI’s most wanted yet? He breaks into houses, stalks you, and reverse steals!
Fennec! at the Disco 2 months ago
The stalker-Santa song!