Morning Song – St. Stephen’s Day Murders

For many Christians, Dec. 26 is the Feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:54 ff.).

In the hands of Declan MacManus (better known to you as Elvis Costello) and The Chieftains’ Paddy Moloney, it becomes the setting for a gleefully mordant Christmas anti-carol, celebrating (if that’s the word) everything that’s awful about family gatherings.  However bad your Christmas was, this family had it worse.

For that is the time to eat, drink, and be merry,
Til the beer is all spilled and the whiskey has flowed.
And the whole family tree you neglected to bury,
Are feeding their faces until they explode….

Ah, it’s nice for the kids, as you finally get rid of them,
In the St Stephen’s Day Murders.