BILLY BRAGG - PUT CHRIST BACK INTO CHRISTMAS

The far-right attention seeker who calls himself Tommy Robinson is trying to introduce Christian nationalism into the UK, holding a carol service in central London on Saturday 13th December under the slogan "Putting Christ Back Into Christmas". He told his followers that this involves "drawing attention to unchecked immigration and the fading of our cultural heritage".

Stand Up To Racism and Care 4 Calais are organising a counter-rally at 1pm on Saturday outside Downing Street. I'll be there to sing a few songs. Here's one I've just written to remind Tommy and his mates of the true meaning of Christmas, utilising the tune of the Scottish folk song 'Come All Ye Tramps and Hawkers'.

PUT CHRIST BACK IN CHRISTMAS

Put Christ back into Christmas The season of goodwill Peace on earth for everyone So let the bombs be still Let the guns fall silent Let the hungry be fed And let the tyrants of the world Lie uneasy in their beds

You want Christ back in Christmas Yet you ignore his words And live your life in selfishness As if you’ve never heard Of the Samaritan who stops to help The stranger dressed in rags You pay lip service to the Lord While worshipping the flag

A flag won’t ask you what you’ve done To help the poor survive But Christ demands you cast away The sin of national pride Love they neighbour as thyself And you will plainly see That the true message of Christmas Is one of empathy

In haste to vilify you forget Christ was a refugee King Herod’s murderous orders caused His family to flee Into the land of Egypt Where their safety did lie Would you refuse to let him in And send him back to die?

God rest ye merry gentlemen So drunken with dismay You’d not be so belligerent Should Christ come back today If he were forced to choose a side I tell you without doubt That he’d embrace the refugee And cast the fascist out

So come all you people of good faith And listen to my song If you have studied your holy book You’ll know that it is wrong To use the name of Jesus Christ In order to divide So stand with those who need the most Goodwill at Christmastide