‘Twas the Night Before Christmas in Birmingham

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the ‘Ham
Not a creature was stirring, not even the Ram.
The stocking was hung on Regions with care
In hopes that St. NickRocks soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of boiled peanuts danced in their heads.
And Vulcan with his hammer and Electra her lightening
Had just settled down after much nighty nighting.

When up on Red Mountain there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the balcony I tore fast like Blaze
Threw open the window and peered through the haze.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear
But a Ford Thunderbird and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver so sly like a fox
We knew in a moment it must be St. NickRocks.

Wishing 280 moved as fast as his bandmates they came
He whistled and shouted and called them by name!
Now Sun Ra! Now St. Paul! Now Singin’ Sammy and Eddie!
On Erskine! On Emmylou! On Chuck and Odetta!

To the top of The Club to the top of Great Wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away, all!
And then in a twinkling I heard some rambunction
Like a thousand musicians jamming at old Tuxedo Junction.

As I was snapping my fingers and dancing around,
Down the chimney St. NickRocks came with a bound.
He was dressed all in black from his head to his foot
‘Cause if dressed in red, it would show ashes and soot.

A bundle of guitars he had flung on his back,
He looked like Highland Music with a hot pink sack.
His eyes — how they twinkled! His smile was widespread!
He picked up a guitar and started to shred.

The stump of joint he held tight in his teeth,
The smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a skinny face and a little skinny belly.
He should go to Bogues for some biscuits and jelly!

He was rockin’ and rollin’, a right jolly old elf,
My foot started tapping in spite of itself.
A wink of his eye and a thrash of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

And when the song had ended, we all went berserk,
But he spoke not a word and went straight to his work.
He unplugged his amp and began to load out
While “Play just one more!” we did holler and shout.

He sprang to his car, to his band gave a wave,
And away they all flew to the next holiday rave.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“A Magic City Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”