Christmas family gatherings can be chaotic, funny, and full of unexpected moments. Robert Earl Keen perfectly captures this spirit in his beloved song, “Merry Christmas From the Family.” These lyrics tell a story of a Christmas party that many can relate to, filled with family quirks and holiday mishaps. Let’s dive into the humorous storytelling and relatable chaos within the lyrics of this festive favorite.
The Christmas Party Unfolds: Verse by Verse
The song opens by setting the scene – a family Christmas party where the adults are perhaps enjoying the holiday spirits a bit too much.
Mom got drunk and Dad got drunk
At our Christmas party
We were drinkin’ champagne punch and home-made eggnog
This immediately establishes a lighthearted and slightly irreverent tone. The mention of “champagne punch and home-made eggnog” paints a picture of a traditional, yet slightly boozy, holiday gathering.
The arrival of family members adds to the colorful tapestry of the Christmas scene.
Little sister brought her new boyfriend
He was a Mexican
We didn’t know what to think of him
Till he sang “Feliz Navidad”
“Feliz Navidad”
This verse introduces an element of gentle humor and perhaps a touch of cultural observation. The family’s initial uncertainty about the “Mexican” boyfriend is quickly dispelled when he embraces the holiday spirit by singing “Feliz Navidad,” a classic Christmas carol in Spanish. This moment highlights the unifying power of Christmas and the breaking down of potential barriers.
The family gathering continues to grow, with the arrival of brother Ken and his rather complex family situation.
Brother Ken brought his kids with him
The three from his first wife, Lynn
And the two identical twins from his second wife, Mary-Nell
He also brought his third wife, Kay
Who talks all about AA
Chainsmokin’, while the stereo plays
Noel Noel, The First Noel
This verse is rich in character detail and humorous family dynamics. Brother Ken’s blended family situation, complete with children from multiple marriages and a third wife who is “chainsmokin'” and talks about “AA,” adds layers of comedic chaos and relatable family situations. The background music of “Noel Noel, The First Noel” provides a classic Christmas contrast to the slightly dysfunctional family gathering.
The Chorus: A Hilarious Snapshot of Christmas Needs
The chorus of “Merry Christmas From the Family” is where the song truly shines with its humorous and relatable portrayal of holiday necessities.
Carve the turkey, turn the ballgame on
Mix margaritas when the eggnog’s gone
Send somebody to the QuicPac store
We need some ice and an extension cord
A can of bean dip and some some Diet Rites
A box of tampons and some Marlboro Lights
Hallelujah, everybody say, “cheese!”
Merry Christmas from the family
This chorus is a whirlwind of typical Christmas activities and emergency shopping needs. From carving the turkey and watching the ballgame to the transition from eggnog to margaritas, it captures the evolving stages of a Christmas party. The trip to the “QuicPac store” for ice, an extension cord, and a bizarrely specific shopping list – including “bean dip,” “Diet Rites,” “tampons,” and “Marlboro Lights” – is the comedic heart of the song. The final lines, “Hallelujah, everybody say, ‘cheese!’ Merry Christmas from the family,” bring a sense of ironic holiday cheer amidst the chaos.
More Family Fun and Festive Mishaps
The second verse continues the story with more family members arriving and adding to the unfolding Christmas comedy.
Fred and Rita drove from Harlejin
I can’t remember how I’m kin to them
But when they tried to plug their motorhome in
They blew our Christmas lights
The arrival of distant relatives, whose relation is hazy, is a common family gathering experience. Their attempt to plug in their “motorhome” and subsequently blowing the Christmas lights adds a slapstick element to the narrative.
Cousin David steps in as the unlikely hero to resolve the Christmas light crisis.
Cousin David knew just what went wrong
So we all waited out on our front lawn
He threw the breaker
And the lights came on
And we sang “Silent Night”
Oh, “Silent Night”
This verse provides a brief moment of unity and traditional Christmas spirit amidst the chaos. Cousin David’s quick thinking and the family singing “Silent Night” on the front lawn offer a touch of heartwarming holiday sentiment, even within the humorous context.
The second chorus mirrors the first, with slight variations reflecting the progression of the party.
Carve the turkey, turn the ballgame on
Mix Bloody Marys cause we all want one
Send somebody to the Stop N’ Go
We need some celery and a can of fake snow
A bag of corn-nuts and some Diet Sprites
A box of tampons and some Salem Lights
Hallelujah, everybody say, “cheese!”
Merry Christmas from the family
The shift from margaritas to Bloody Marys indicates the party is continuing and perhaps intensifying. The trip to the “Stop N’ Go” this time is for “celery,” “fake snow,” “corn-nuts,” “Diet Sprites,” “tampons,” and “Salem Lights,” maintaining the same humorous and random shopping list formula.
Conclusion: The Heart of a Family Christmas
“Merry Christmas From the Family” lyrics perfectly encapsulate the wonderfully messy and often hilarious reality of family Christmas gatherings. Robert Earl Keen’s song is not just about the chaos, but also about the underlying warmth and love that persist even amidst the funny mishaps and family quirks. It’s a reminder that the imperfections are often what make family Christmases so memorable and cherished. So, this holiday season, embrace the chaos, laugh at the mishaps, and have a “Merry Christmas From the Family!”
