These are the lyrics from the songs as they appeared in the film, not on the LP. I did not include "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" as that is not original to the movie, nor did I include Mr. Prune's version of "Why Can't Every Day Be Christmas" as the lyrics in his version do not differ from Sam's.
The Christmas That Almost Wasn't
Why Can't Every Day Be Christmas?
Christmas Is Coming
Hustle Bustle
Kids Get All the Breaks
I'm Bad
The Name of the Song Is Prune
What Are Children Like
Time For Christmas
I've Got a Date With Santa
Santa Claus Round
Nothing To Do But Wait
I've Got a Date With Children
The Christmas That Almost Wasn't (reprise)
The Christmas That Almost Wasn't
There once was a Christmas that almost wasn't,
Now, Prune was a man who... jolly: wasn't,
Prune, Prune, was his name. He was a man who had no shame.
He tried to stop Christmas. We wished he wouldn't.
'Though Prune did his worst Santa worried: wasn't,
Prune, Prune, was his name. He was a man who had no shame.
So, there once was a Christmas that almost wasn't,
Why Can't Every Day Be Christmas?
Why do people always make the same mistake?
Why can't every day be Christmas?
No need to wait until December--
So, let each day be Merry Christmas.
Why can't every day be Christmas?
Christmas Is Coming
Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming,
Hustle Bustle
Helter-skelter, hustle-bustle, hurry-scurry, hippety-hop! And never
Spoken by "Supposing": But supposing Christmas doesn't come?
Shilly, shally, dilly, dally, Fiddle, faddle, flippety, flop! Why
Kids Get All the Breaks
Life is just one great frustration,
Kids get all the breaks! They never do a thing,
Kids lead a life of ease,
I'm Bad
Oh, I am good, I'm very good, I'm good at being bad!
Sung by Sam and the Santas: How bad?
So bad!
Sung by Sam and the Santas: Not good?
Just bad!
Sung by Sam and the Santas: How sad!
I'm glad, I'm glad you're sad I'm bad!
I'm glad you're here, so glad to have some company.
Sung by Sam and the Santas: You're bad
I'm glad!
Sung by Sam and the Santas: Not good!
But bad!
Sung by Sam and the Santas: How sad!
I'm glad, I'm glad you're sad I'm bad!
Spoken by Sam: Glad?
Spoken by Prune: Who?
Spoken by Santa: You.
Spoken by Prune: True.
Spoken by Mrs. Santa: Sad.
Glad. I'm glad, I'm glad, I am bad!
The Name of the Song Is Prune
If Christmas came in June, we'd say "good afternoon!"
Spoken by "Apricot": "Apricot"?
Spoken by Jonathan: No, "Prune"!
We had a pet racoon, ate donuts with a spoon.
Spoken by "Lemon": "Lemon"?
Spoken by Jonathan: No! "Prune"!
There was a big baboon, who never sang in tune.
Spoken by "Crabapple": "Crabapple"?
Spoken by Jonathan: No, "Prune"!
We blew up a balloon, it turned into the moon.
Spoken by "Spinach": "Spinach"?
Spoken by Jonathan: No, I told you, "Prune"!
Prune, Prune, Prune, Prune, Prune, Prune!
What Are Children Like
I have been around the world
I know that parents say,
What are children like when they're wide awake?
What are children like when they're wide awake?
Some people say, "Children are good,
What are children like when they're wide awake?
Time For Christmas
The clock keeps ticking away the hours,
Got no time to be sorry, got no time to be sad.
Christmas 'round the corner--hey, get busy!
That's the time to be jolly, that's the time to be gay.
I just think of Christmas, and I grow ecstatic.
Got no time to be sorry, got no time to be sad.
I've Got a Date With Santa
I've got a date with Santa, at half-past Christmas time.
I've got a date with Santa; he's got a date with me.
I must try to stay awake; he comes just once a year.
I've got a date with Santa, how lucky can you get?
Santa Claus Round
Santa Claus, Santa Claus, Merry Christmas, Santa Claus!
Nothing To Do But Wait
Nothing to do but wait. What do you do when you wait?
You sit and you meditate. The clock you investigate.
Father time, why are you standing still?
You walk up and down and you wait.
We've Got a Date With Children
We've got a date with children.
The Christmas That Almost Wasn't (reprise)
So, that was the Christmas that almost wasn't,
But Prune changed his mind and said "I'm sorry,
Prune, Prune was his name.
So, that was the Christmas that almost wasn't,
Sung by Glenn Yarbrough
Almost wasn't, almost wasn't.
There once was a Christmas that almost wasn't
Because of a man named Prune.
Sweet: wasn't, merry: wasn't
Oh, Prune was a man who just wasn't
A very nice man at all.
Prune, Prune, was his name.
If there is no Christmas he's to blame.
We thought he couldn't. He knew he shouldn't.
He tried to stop Christmas but Santa wouldn't
Let him have his way.
Scared: wasn't, conquered: wasn't.
'Though Prune did his worst, his best, it wasn't
Enough to stop Christmas day.
Prune, Prune, was his name.
If there is no Christmas he's to blame.
Almost wasn't, almost wasn't.
There once was a Christmas that almost wasn't,
Because of a man named Prune.
spoken (Phineas T., that is. Prune.)
Sung by Sam
Why do they let Christmas slip away?
What a lovely change, if we could arrange,
For Christmas day to come and stay?
And never, ever go away?
Why can't every day be gay?
Why can't every day be Merry Christmas
Each and every day?
It's always Christmas in your heart.
Just as long as you remember friends
Must never, ever part.
Don't let that feeling get away.
Let's make each day a Merry Christmas,
And light a great big holiday.
Why can't every day be gay?
Why can't every day be Merry Christmas
Each and every day.
Sung by Mrs. Santa
Christmas is coming, 'twill soon be here.
Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming,
Christmas day, 'twill soon be here.
Sung by Jonathan
shilly-shally, dilly-dally, Fiddle-faddle, flippety-flop!
should we helter, skelter, hustle, bustle, Hurry, scurry, hippety, hop?
Sung by Mr. Prune
When I see, all though the nation,
Children spoiled by adulation.
Why won't someone spoil me, too?
How I view with indignation doting parents' adoration
Of their children's conversation.
No one says I'm clever, too.
It is really most upsetting to see people always petting
Children who are always getting...
...in my hair. They're everywhere. It isn't fair.
But everybody always sings their praises.
Kids get all the breaks! Oh, for heaven's sakes!
I'd rather they would all go to blazes!
Kids get all the breaks! No matter what they say.
They're always told their eloquence amazes.
Kids get all the breaks! Oh, the little fakes!
With "pretty please",
..."doo-doo", "goo-goo", and all their silly phrases!
Grown-ups tremble when they sneeze.
I tell you kids have got me in a stew!
Why don't they grow up, and fend for themselves,
The way we grown-ups have to do.
Kids get all the breaks! They're just a bunch of fakes.
Please understand, I know what I am saying.
Kids get all the breaks! I say they're all mistakes!
For which we grown-ups have to keep on paying,
And paying, and paying!
The price the grown-ups have to keep on paying!
Sung by Mr. Prune
Don't be surprised, just realize,
All the practice I have had!
I suppose I could be very good,
But that would make me sad!
Right from the first I've been the worst,
A super-naughty lad!
It's sad but I am scared to be alone with me.
When I look into a mirror, I just cover my eyes--
I can't stand the sight of me.
Sung by Jonathan
We don't care if it all makes sense,
The name of the song is "Prune"!
Prune, Prune, Prune, Prune, Prune, spoon, moon, June.
Prune, Prune, Prune, spoon.
We don't care if it all makes sense,
The name of the song is "Prune"!
Prune, Prune, Prune, Prune, Prune, spoon, moon, June.
Prune, Prune, Prune, spoon.
We don't care if it all makes sense,
The name of the song is "Prune"!
Prune, Prune, Prune, Prune, croon, spoon, moon, June.
Prune, Prune, Prune, spoon.
We don't care if it all makes sense,
The name of the song is "Prune"!
Prune, Prune, Prune, Prune, Prune, spoon, moon, June.
Prune, Prune, Prune, spoon.
Sung by Santa
More times than you can count.
And do you know that I have yet to see
A child who's wide awake
I wish that for my sake,
Just once they'd stay awake
Just long enough to say "hello" to me.
Santa Claus will stay away
If children are not fast asleep in bed.
I wish they'd break the rule...
on Christmas there's no school
Why can't all children stay up late instead?
Are they just as nice as can be?
Are they always as polite,
With their faces scrubbed bright
The way all children are when they're asleep?
It's always been a puzzle to me.
Do they always wear a smile,
Mind their manners all the while,
The way all children do when they're asleep?
"...only when they're fast asleep."
I must confess, it's only a guess,
They're just as good when they're wide awake
As when they're fast asleep!
I think they're just the Same as you and me.
Somedays, they get in trouble,
And on other days they bubble.
And that's the way I think it ought to be.
And that's the way I think it ought to be.
Sung by Sam
Four and twenty hours every day.
My heart keeps adding up all the hours.
How much longer can it be 'till Christmas day?
Now's the time to be jolly:
Christmas comes, and you've got to be glad!
Paint a smile upon that sour face.
Practice grinning 'till your head turns dizzy,
Or on Christmas day you will feel out of place.
Not the time to be grumpy,
When that time is Christmas day.
I can hardly wait for it to come along.
My heart keeps jumping, gets so acrobatic.
And to while the time away, let's sing this song!
Now's the time to be jolly...
Christmas comes, and you've got to be glad!
Christmas comes, and you've got to be glad!
You've got to be glad!
Sung by the Children
I've got a date with Santa, we'll have a lovely time.
I've had my nap, I'm feeling great,
And mom says I can stay up late
I'm going to do my very best
To meet my Merry Christmas guest.
I've got a gift for Santa, and he'll have some for me.
He said he'd stay and chat awhile.
He's got the nicest friendly smile.
I've got a date with Santa, at half-past Christmas time.
There's a speech I want to make
"I love you, Santa dear."
I've got a date with Santa, I hope he won't forget.
We're meeting at my Christmas tree.
'Cause that's where he said he would be.
I've got a date with Santa, at half-past Christmas time.
Sung by the Children; overlayed "What Are Children Like?" reprise sung by Santa
Children sing, ting-a-ling, lend a hand to Santa Claus!
Don't be shy, Christmas time is so very near.
Bring your pennies to Santa Claus,
Let Christmas come this year.
Santa Claus, Santa Claus, Merry Christmas, Santa Claus!
Children sing, ting-a-ling, lend a hand to Santa Claus!
Don't be shy, Christmas time
Santa Claus, Santa Claus,
Is so very near.
Merry Christmas, Santa Claus!
Bring your pennies to Santa Claus,
Let Christmas come this year.
Lend a hand to Santa Claus!
Santa Claus, Santa Claus, don't be shy, Christmas time
Merry Christmas, Santa Claus,
Is so very near.
Children sing, ting-a-ling,
Lend a hand to Santa Claus!
Let Christmas come this year.
Don't be shy, Christmas time
Santa Claus, Santa Claus,
Is so very near.
Merry Christmas, Santa Claus!
Bring your pennies to Santa Claus
Let Christmas come this year.
Lend a hand to Santa Claus!
Santa Claus, Santa Claus,
Don't be shy, Christmas time
Merry Christmas, Santa Claus!
Is so very near.
Children sing, ting-a-ling,
Lend a hand to Santa Claus!
Let Christmas come this year.
Don't be shy, Christmas time
Santa Claus, Santa Claus,
Is so very near.
Merry Christmas, Santa Claus!
Bring your pennies to Santa Claus
Let Christmas come this year.
Lend a hand to Santa Claus!
Santa Claus, Santa Claus,
Don't be shy, Christmas time
Merry Christmas, Santa Claus!
Is so very near.
Children sing, ting-a-ling,
Lend a hand to Santa Claus!
Let Christmas come this year.
What are children like,
Santa Claus, Santa Claus,
When they're wide awake?
Merry Christmas, Santa Claus!
The answer is so
Children sing, ting-a-ling,
Easy to see.
Lend a hand to Santa Claus!
They are really just as nice as sugar and spice.
And that's the way I knew that it would be.
And that's the way I knew that it would be!
Sung by Mr. Prune
Your fingers you twiddle, it's really a riddle.
What else can you do when you wait?
You're starting to twitch with a wandering itch.
What else can you do when you wait?
Can't you see, I have some time to kill!
What else can you do when you wait?
Keep watching the clock, and its silly tick-tock.
Keep saying "you'll just have to wait." Have to wait,
Have to wait, have to wait.
Keep saying "you'll just have to wait."
Keep saying "you'll just have to wait."
Have to wait! Have to wait! Have to wait!
How long, do I have to wait?
Sung by Sam and the Santas
It's half-past Christmas time!
We've got a date with children.
We'll have a lovely time!
We've paid the rent, we're feeling great!
We're sorry we're a little late.
We're going to do our very best
To deliver our presents to the right address.
La la-la-la la la-la la la-la la la la
La la-la-la la la-la la la-la la la la
La la-la-la la la-la la
La la-la lala la la la la
Sung by Glenn Yarbrough
Almost wasn't, almost wasn't.
So, that was the Christmas that almost wasn't,
Because of a man named Prune.
"really sorry. Awful sorry.
"I've changed my mind and I won't be sorry
"if Christmas comes every day."
There is one thing we must explain.
Prune, Prune was his name.
And a very nice man Mr. Prune became.
Almost wasn't, almost wasn't.
So, that was the Christmas that almost wasn't,
But it won't ever happen again.
This page owned and maintained by C. "Sparky" Read.