You Better Watch Out

You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why:
Santa Claus is comin' to town

He's making a list and checking it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is comin' to town

He sees you when you're sleepin'
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake

Oh! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why:
Santa Claus is comin' to town

These are the lyrics to the popular Christmas song "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" written by Haven Gillespie and J. Fred Coots in 1934. I know that at least one time in my life I have been forced to sing this song in front of a crowd of relatives against my will like some disfigured chimp who must do flips and cartwheels for the passersby on the sidewalk before his master will give him a shiny new toy and a treat. I'm also sure that millions of other children since 1935 have had similar grueling experiences. Because of this great tradition of humiliation, this song has become deep rooted in our culture as a pleasant way to celebrate the holiday season. Stepping outside of it all and looking back in on the song I wonder just what kind of message is this song sending to our children? Examine the lyrics of the third verse carefully.

He sees you when you're sleepin'
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake

I don't know about you, but to me this doesn't sound like the actions of somebody I want hanging around my neighborhood. In fact, these sound more like the actions of the person who sent me this particular spam e-mail. Seems kind of strange that the guy keeping an eye on this Adriana chick can face criminal charges if caught, yet we happily make our children sing about a fat ass in a red suit who does the exact same thing.

Santa Claus: Bringing joy and happiness to children? Or a Pedaphile/Voyeur?