a     g      f    d       a  g    f    d
On the sidewalks, city sidewalks
d        c     b      g   g   g
Here the bums try to sleep
c         b     a        f     f       f      g  f      f      e
With their bags, and their newspaper blankets.

Here the cop comes Wakes the cold bum
Whacks a club on his boots
“Time to move on, come on. You can't sleep here”
e     f    g         a    b    c
Nicholas . . .takes a bus
   b        b       c    d      c   b    c  g
Knows where to sleep in the alley.
  e        f          g      a       b     c
Dumpster 's gone. He moves on
  b     b      c       d        c     b       c
Seeking some peace Christmas day.

Just a short drive to the suburbs
Children fight over toys
as they tear at the bright paper wrappings.

Broken wine glass. Spills on blankets,
Box of chocolates, half gone.
They'll be happy surprises for scroungers.

When in doubt throw it out
No time to save in the city.
Take it fast from the trash
Treasures abound Christmas day

Christmas Garbage, frozen garbage
Ribbons bright red and green,
Scrambled in with the plastic machine guns.

Here's a fir tree, by a dumpster
Tangled tinsel hangs down.
Colored light bulbs, the shards of a Christmas.

Nicholas . . .takes a bus
Nowhere to sleep in the alley.
Dumpster 's gone. He moves on
Seeking some peace Christmas day

Jangle bells, Ringing cells,
Ring up more debt in the city.
Use it for buying more.
Anything new Christmas day.