The Beatles’ Christmas 1967 fan club disc was the usual mixture of skits, improvised nonsense and jokes. However, interspersed between the spoken word sections was an especially-written song, ‘Christmas Time (Is Here Again)’.

The song was credited to all four members of The Beatles. Each of them joined in on vocals, as did producer George Martin and actor Victor Spinetti.

The skits, which punctuated the song at regular intervals, contained parodies of radio and television broadcasts, a tap dancing duet by Ringo Starr and Spinetti, a brief rendition of ‘Plenty Of Jam Jars’ by “The Ravellers”, and a spoof advert for the miraculous product Wonderlust. It ended with a nonsense poem by John Lennon, narrated on top of an organ version of ‘Auld Lang Syne’.

The uncut version lasted 6’37”, but was later edited to remove swearing and excessive laughter. It was recorded on 28 November 1967, and edited the following day. It was then sent to Lyntone Records, who pressed the fan club flexi-disc.

Released in 1995, the ‘Free As A Bird’ single contained a 3’03” mix of ‘Christmas Time (Is Here Again)’. Towards the end of this version, somewhat incongruously, some Christmas Beatle greetings from 1966 were included. These were extracts from recordings made on 6 December 1966 for the pirate stations Radio London and Radio Caroline.

‘Christmas Time (Is Here Again)’ was The Beatles’ final Christmas disc to be recorded together at Abbey Road. In 1968 and 1969 their contributions were recorded separately, and edited together to give a sense of unity.

In 1999 Ringo Starr re-recorded the song for his Christmas album I Wanna Be Santa Claus, with Aerosmith’s Joe Perry on guitar.

Lyrics

Christmas time is here again
Christmas time is here again
Christmas time is here again
Christmas time is here again

Ain’t been round since you know when
Christmas time is here again
O-U-T spells “out”

The boys arrive at BBC House.

“What do you want?”
“We have been granted permission, O wise one.”
“Ah, pass in peace.”

Christmas time is here again
Christmas time is…

“An audition will be held at 10am, Wednesday the first in the fluffy rehearsal rooms. Bring your own!”
“Thank you. Next please!”
“Would over here be convenient for you?”
“Carry on!”
“Over here. Are you 13, huh?”
“Next, please!”

Get Wonderlust for your trousers
Get Wonderlust for your hair

“Sitting with me in the studio tonight is a cross section of British youth. I’d like first of all to speak to you, Sir Gerald.”
“Oh, not a bit of it. We have a job to do, Michael.”
“Ah, yes, yes, quite. I don’t think you’re answering my question.”
“Oh, let me put it this way: there was a job to be done.”

Christmas time is here again
Christmas time is here again

On to the next round!
Ding dong ding! Ha! Ha!

“In the recent heavy fighting near Blackpool, Mrs G Evans of Solihull was gradually injured. She wants, for all the people in hospital, Plenty Of Jam Jars by the Ravellers. And here it is.”

Plenty of jam jars, baby
Plenty of jam jars for you (For you, baby)
Plenty of jam jars, baby
Plenty of jam jars for you
Plenty of jam jars, baby (Baby, baby)
Plenty of jam jars for you
Plenty of jam jars, baby
Plenty of jam jars for you

“And how old are you?”
“Thirty-two.”
“Ooh!”
“Never…”
“I am!”
“Get away.”
“I am!”
“Well, what prize have you got your eyes on?”
“I have?”
“Ooh!”
“Well you’ve just won a trip to Denver and five others.”
“Ooh!”
“Thank you.”
“And also – wait for it – you have been elected as independent candidate for Paddington!”
“Ooh!”
“Look after yourself! Ha ha!”

Get Wonderlust for your trousers
Get Wonderlust for your hair

Theatre hour is brought to you tonight from the arms of someone new.

“Hello? I’m speaking from a call box!”
“Hello? Hello, operator? Hello, operator? I’ve been cut off! I’ve been cut off! It’s emergency!”

O-U-T spells “out”

Christmas time is here again
Ain’t been round since you know when
Christmas time is here again
O-U-T spells “out”

Christmas time is here again

“And how old are you?”
“Thirty-two! Ha ha ha!”
“Never! Ha ha ha!”
“Well, you won a prize! Ha ha ha!”
“Get off the show! Ha ha ha!”
“They’d like to thank you for a wonderful year.”
“We’d like to thank you for a wonderful year.”
“Thank you for a wonderful year.”
“Carry on!”
“Look after yourself! Ha ha ha!”
“Come in!”

When Christmas time is o’er,
and your bonny clay us through.
Happy breastling to you people
All our best from me to you.
When the beasty brangle mutton
To the heather in the glen
I’ll be struttin’ oot in my tether
To your arms once back again.
Och away, ye bonnie.


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