War Against Christmas 2004 Competition [VIII]: No Rhythm At Roosevelt High

By Bryanna Bevens

A reader writes:

Please keep this entry anonymous! [BB note: is this a free county or what?]

I just thought you might like to know that I attended the “Holiday Concert” at the local public school, Roosevelt Elementary School in Santa Monica, CA. There were two Hanukkah songs, Hanukkah and the Dreidel song. There was Feliz Navidad, and the Kwanzaa song. We had Ruldolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bells, both secular songs.

The crowning glory was the ending song, with lyrics modified..........."

We wish you a Happy Holiday,

We wish you a Happy Holiday, and a Happy New Year!

I was offended that this traditional song was had "Christmas" edited out—as if "Christmas" is a profane word!

And, to heap insult upon injury, "Holiday" has three syllables, which makes things more awkward still, since "Christmas" only has two syllables.

The whole grace and rhythmic sense of We Wish You a Merry Christmas is altered by having fast notes stumbling all over themselves to fit in "Holiday".

The word "Happy" becomes trite and overused by its fourth appearance, in contrast to the original lyrics which have "Merry" and "Happy.”

We do have an email address for Roosevelt Elementary School should readers desire to inquire about this important aesthetic issue.

Hmmm, Roosevelt Elementary School is rated as a California Distinguished School, a program that claims it “honors some of the state’s most exemplary and inspiring public schools.”

Click here if you want to ask the California Department of Education what is “exemplary and inspiring” about Christophobia.

Bryanna Bevens [email her] is a political consultant and former chief of staff for a member of the California State Assembly.