Know any good anti-consumerist/ anti-war etcChristmas carols?

Question

We're having a sing-song outside of Parliament Square on the 20th Dec to try to work out when carols stop being Christmass-y and start being an illegal protest (yes American cousins, protesting outside our Parliament building is illegal in the UK). We just need stuff to sing.

Know any good ones?

Answer 1

This will be long, because I've included lyrics for you too. I think what you're doing is wonderful. I find it appalling that a "free" country doesn't allow its people to voice a protest in the place that symbolizes their freedom. I wish you all the best and I hope you enjoy the songs - I'm sure you can find some, if not all, helpful.

"My Grown Up Christmas List"

Do you remember me
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies

Well, I'm all grown up now
And still need help somehow
I'm not a child
But my heart still can dream

So here's my lifelong wish
My grown up christmas list
Not for myself
But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
and wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown up christmas list

As children we believed
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath our tree

Well heaven only knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown up christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth
(there'd be)

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, oh
This is my grown up christmas list

This is my grown up christmas list
**************************************************
Christmas (by the Blues Travelers)

Comes the time for christmas
And i really have to ask
If this is feeling merry
How much longer must it last
I wish a one horse open sleigh
Would come carry me away
But i've been waiting here all day
And one just hasn't come my way
Now excuse me if i'm not being reverent
But i was hoping for a miracle to hold me, wash me
Save me from my righteous doubt as i watch helpless
And everybody sings
If it's chanukah or kwanza
Solstice, harvest or december twenty-fifth
Peace on earth to everyone
And abundance to everyone you're with

Laha da da da da da
Da da da da da da da da da da da
La da da da da da da da
La da da da da da da da da
Laha da da da da
Laha da da da da

Comes the time for christmas
And as you raise your yuletide flask
There's like this feeling that you carry
As if from every christmas past
It's as if each year it grows
It's like you feel it in your toes
And on and on your carol goes
Harvesting love among your woes
I want to buy into the benevolent
And i was hoping for a miracle to hold me, wash me
Make me know what it's about
As the longing in me makes me want to sing
Noel or navidad
Season celebration or just the end of the year
Christmas can mean anything
And i mean to keep its hope forever near

Laha da da da da da
Da da da da da da da da da da da
La da da da da da da da da
La da da da da da da da da da
Laha da da da da
Laha da da da da

As if a cold and frozen soul is warm to love
By loves own hand
So goes the prayer if for a day peace on earth
And good will to man
At twenty below the winter storm it billows
But the fire is so warm inside
And the children while nestled in their pillows
Dream of st. nicholas's ride
And how the next day they'll get up and they will play
In the still falling christmas snow
And together we'll celebrate forever
In defiance of the winds that blow
My god in heaven now i feel like i'm seven
And spirit calls to me as well
As if christmas had made the winter warmer
Made a paradise from what was hell
As if a cold and frozen soul is warm to love
By loves own hand
So goes the prayer if for a day peace on earth
And good will to man.......
I wish a one horse open sleigh would come carry me away And i'll keep waiting through next may
Until christmas comes my way
****************************************************
A Different Kind of Christmas:

A Different Kind Of Christmas
The lights around the Christmas tree don't burn as bright
And all around the world it isn't a silent night
Outside I hear the voices sing the sweetest sounds of caroling
But somehow there's a sadness in the song
In our hearts we know that something's wrong

[Chorus:]

It's a different kind of Christmas
In a different kind of world
Even though it looks the same

Everything has changed
It's a different kind of Christmas

Children opening gifts with wonder and surprise
I wish that I could still see through such innocent eyes
I used to feel so safe inside I had a place to run and hide
In my daddy's arms I felt secure
No one can protect us anymore

[Chorus:]

It's a different kind of Christmas
In a different kind of world
Even though it looks the same

Everything has changed
It's a different kind of Christmas

Sending cards that talk of peace and love and cheer
Oh that's what we need if we'd only believe
It would be!

[Chorus:]

It's a different kind of Christmas
In a different kind of world
Even though it looks the same

Everything has changed
It's a different kind of Christmas
****************************************************
Do They Know It's Christmas (Feed the World)

Do They Know It's Christmas
It's Christmastime; there's no need to be afraid
At Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world at Christmastime
But say a prayer to pray for the other ones
At Christmastime

It's hard, but when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window
And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears

And the Christmas bells that ring there
Are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you
And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime

The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
Oh, where nothing ever grows, no rain or rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmastime at all?

Here's to you, raise a glass for ev'ryone
Here's to them, underneath that burning sun
Do they know it's Christmastime at all?

Feed the world
Feed the world

Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmastime again
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmastime again
************************************************
Happy Christmas

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so Happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so Happy Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

War is over if you want it
War is over now
*************************************************
If Every Day was Like Christmas

I hear the bells
Saying Christmas is near
They ring out to tell the world
That this is the season of cheer

I hear a choir
Singing sweetly somewhere
And a glow fills my heart
I'm at peace with the world
As the sound of their singing fills the air

Oh why can't every day be like Christmas
Why can't that feeling go on endlessly
For if everyday could be just like Christmas
What a wonderful world this would be

I hear a child
Telling Santa what to bring
And the smile upon his tiny face
Is worth more to me than anything
***********************************************
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

It came upon a midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
'Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven's all-gracious King!'
The world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled;
and still their heavenly music floats
o'er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o'er its Babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.

But with the woes of sin and strife
the world has suffered long;
beneath the angel strain have rolled
two thousands years of wrong;
and man, at war with man, hears not
the love song which they bring;
O hush the noise, ye men of strife,
and hear the angels sing.

For, lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophet bards foretold,
when with the ever-circling years,
comes round the age of gold,
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendours fling,
and the whole world give back the song
which now the angels sing.
************************************************
Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth

Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth

Come they told me
Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
A new born king to see
Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Our finest gifts we bring
Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum

Peace on earth, can it be
Years from now, perhaps we'll see
See the day of glory
See the day when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again

Peace on earth, can it be

Every child must be made aware
Every child must be made to care
Care enough for his fellow man
To give all the love that he can

I pray my wish will come true
For my child and your child too
He'll see the day of glory
See the day when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again

Peace on earth, can it be
Can it be

Pretty thing isn't it
**************************************************8
Mary's Boy Child

Mary's Boy Child
Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.
And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day.

Long time ago in Bethlehem, so the Holy Bible said,
Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today,
And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day.
Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

While shepherds watch their flocks by night,
they see a bright new shining star,
they hear a choir sing a song, the music seemed to come from afar.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today,
And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day.

Oh a moment still worth was a glow, all the bells rang out
there were tears of joy and laughter, people shouted
"let everyone know, there is hope for all to find peace".

Now Joseph and his wife, Mary, came to Bethlehem that night,
they found no place to bear her child, not a single room was in sight.

And then they found a little nook in a stable all forlorn,
and in a manger cold and dark, Mary's little boy was born.

Hark, now hear the angels sing, a king was born today,
And man will live for evermore, because of Christmas Day.
Mary's boy child Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

Oh a moment still worth was a glow, all the bells rang out
there were tears of joy and laughter, people shouted
"let everyone know, there is hope for all to find peace".

Oh my Lord...
*********************************************
Put A Little Holiday In Your Heart

Feel the cold wind blowing-winter's coming on
'Tis the season, so they say
If you need help believing 'cause your spirit ain't
too strong
Hold my hand -- we'll push that cloud away

Put a little holiday in your heart
It'll put a little shuffle in your step
Give you a song that you can sing
With a melody you can't forget
And if you wanna join in a little harmony
To keep the world from tearin' apart
Well you know where to look
Yeah -- you gotta put a little holiday in your heart

There's a man on the corner who doesn't have a name
People pass and turn their heads away
But to share a simple kindness would set there heart aflame
And you'll get more than you'll ever give away.
Put a little holiday in your heart
It'll put a little shuffle in your step
Give you a song that you can sing
With a melody you can't forget
And if you wanna join in a little harmony
To keep the world from tearin' apart
Well you know where to look
Yeah -- you gotta put a little holiday in your heart

It starts with you, it starts with me
This ain't no stranger, he's family and it don't
matter if we agree
It all comes down to love

Put a little holiday in your heart
It'll put a little shuffle in your step
Give you a song that you can sing
With a melody you can't forget
And if you wanna join in a little harmony
To keep the world from tearin' apart
Well you know where to look
Yeah -- you gotta put a little holiday in your heart
***************************************************8
Snoopy's Christmas

The news had come out in the First World War
The bloody Red Baron was flying once more

The Allied command ignored all of its men
And called on Snoopy to do it again.

Was the night before Christmas, 40 below
When Snoopy went up in search of his foe
He spied the Red Baron, fiercely they fought
With ice on his wings Snoopy knew he was caught.

Christmas bells those Christmas bells
Ring out from the land
Asking peace of all the world
And good will to man

The Baron had Snoopy dead in his sights
He reached for the trigger to pull it up tight
Why he didn't shoot, well, we'll never know
Or was it the bells from the village below.

Christmas bells those Christmas bells
Ringing through the land
Bringing peace to all the world
And good will to man

The Baron made Snoopy fly to the Rhine
And forced him to land behind the enemy lines
Snoopy was certain that this was the end
When the Baron cried out, "Merry Christmas, my friend"

The Baron then offered a holiday toast
And Snoopy, our hero, saluted his host
And then with a roar they were both on their way
Each knowing they'd meet on some other day.

Christmas bells those Christmas bells
Ringing through the land
Bringing peace to all the world
And good will to man
****************************************************
Someday At Christmas

Someday at Christmas men won't be boys
Playing with bombs like kids play with toys
One warm December our hearts will see
A world where men are free

Someday at Christmas there'll be no wars
When we have learned what Christmas is for
When we have found what life's really worth
There'll be peace on earth

Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime

Someday at Christmas we'll see a Man
No hungry children, no empty hand
One happy morning people will share
Our world where people care

Someday at Christmas there'll be no tears
All men are equal and no men have fears
One shinning moment my heart ran away
From our world today

Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime

Someday at Christmas man will not fail
Take hope because your love will prevail
Someday a new world that we can start
With hope in every heart

Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Someday at Christmastime
**********************************************

When Children Rule The World

Hams and yams and cookies and candy, chimes of joy and candles aglow
Hymns and carols - choirs are forming everywhere that you go
Pere Noël, Pere Noël - Angels for every boy and girl
Nobody cries or tells any lies
The night that children rule the world
When the children rule the world
Tonight! When the children rule the world

Doves and kings and shepherds and wisemen came together followed the star
They all gathered down in the manger, they came from so very far
Midnight is clear, the spirits are here, angels that guard each boy and girl
No hunger or thirst, the last will be first
The night that children rule the world
When the children rule the world
Tonight! When the children rule the world

All the greatest wishes are granted, let us sing, let innocence reign
All the prayers are finally answered, blessed and free of all pain
Towers of fire rise ever higher, magical flags will be unfurled
The power of song, the young are the strong
The night that children rule the world
When the children rule the world
Tonight! When the children rule the world
Pere Noël, Pere Noël - Angels for every boy and girl
The demons are gone, the young are the strong
The night that children rule the world
When the children rule the world
Tonight! When the children rule the world

Pere Noël, Pere Noël - Angels for every boy and girl
The demons are gone, the young are the so strong(the night when the children) Rule the world
When the children rule the world
Tonight! When the children rule the world
When the children rule the world
Tonight! When the children rule the world

(when the children) Oh
(when the children)
(when the children) They rule the world
(when the children) Ooh, yeah
(when the children) When the children rule the world
(when the children) When the children rule the world
(when the children) When the children rule the world
(when the children)
(when the children)..............
*************************************************88
When A Child Is Born

A ray of hope flickers in the sky
A tiny star lights up way up high
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass when a child is born

A silent wish sails the seven seas
The winds of change whisper in the trees
And the walls of doubt crumble tossed and torn
This comes to pass, when a child is born

A rosy hue settles all around
You got the feel, you're on solid ground
For a spell or two no one seems forlorn
This comes to pass, when a child is born

Spoken: And all of this happens, because the world is waiting.
Waiting for one child; Black-white-yellow, no one knows...
but a child that will grow up and turn tears to laughter,
hate to love, war to peace and everyone to everyone's neighbor,
and misery and suffering will be words to be forgotten forever

It's all a dream and illusion now
It must come true sometime soon somehow
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass when a child is born

Answer 2

Christmas at ground zero, I am Santa Claus, So this is Christmas.