White Trash Christmas by Bankrupts
This song is loosely based on actual first through third hand accounts. In reality I took those lights down years ago and they haven't been back up since, and I really don't decorate the 65 Barracuda in my front yard, but I might for the video.
Nonetheless, 'twas amazing to me that hardly anyone else has ever written this song, for as tasteless as it is on one level, it is an obvious play on another song made popular by Bing Crosby. I did it this way because you don't have to sound uneducated nor like country music to be white trash, but I'm sure it won't disqualify one either.
Anyway, I thought about placing this in folk as it technically might be folk, but then I saw Soundtrack, and I saw the movie title starring Billie Bob Thornton or Woody Harrelson in the cinema inside my mind, and I knew the song in some form was destined for the silver screen, probably in 3D. And I'm betting that the listener will agree that the making of this movie is a foregone conclusion, or at least on a Hallmark made for TV production.
I also think this might be the song that is my claim to fame, after all, it is stupid enough and not too obnoxious considering what others might have sung, but I wouldn't want to have written that version, I have minimum standards.
This is the simplest piano/vocal version. There may one day be a bigger mix, but I like the purity of this one's sound.
White Trash Christmas by Steve Bancroft
F Bb
do you remember Christmas last year
Bb F
the stockings hung by the space heater caught fire
C Bb
you and I were snuggled up warm in our beds
Bb F
the smell of roasting chestnuts danced in our heads
(Instrumental break)
C Bb
Bb F
Bb F
perhaps it was good fortune, the spirit of the season
C F
or maybe it was dumb luck, no rhyme or reason
Bb F
or maybe it was just the smell of smoke in the air
C C
but you woke with a lurch and yelled in my ear
(Repeat Chords #2)
F Bb
the house didn’t burn down, and the morning went well
Bb F
and burnt oranges and peppermint was an oddly pleasant smell
C Bb
and Christmas went forward as extended family
Bb F
opened their presents round the plastic Christmas tree
C Bb
It was too much excitement, and none of your business
Bb F
but that’s how you celebrate a white trash Christmas
Bb F
the weather was warm, all night the dogs barked
C F
and a ten foot inflatable snowman was parked
Bb F
in the front yard, aglow oh so bright
C C
and motorized reindeer bobbed in the night
Repeat chords #3)
F Bb
there were lights on the house, strings of lights all around
Bb F
you just plug it in when it’s never taken down
C Bb
the car set on blocks was transformed to a sleigh
Bb F
the wonders of plywood painted so gay
(Instrumental break)
C Bb
Bb F
Bb F
it came down from the attic from November to December
C F
a family tradition for as long as I can remember
Bb F
faded and warped by the rain, snow and ice
C C
but from the street it still looked pretty nice
(Repeat chords #4)
(Instrumental humming bridge)
F Bb
Bb F
C Bb
Bb F
C Bb
It’s our traditions, and none of your business
Bb F
but that’s how you celebrate a white trash Christmas
(Instrumental outro)
Bb F
C F
Bb F
C C
