HUFF Caroling with Free Hot Soup!!

The following are the lyrics to some of the tunes will be belting out Tuesday. Feel free to download and sing--or add your own lyrics...

GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN

God rest ye merry gentlemen but not in Santa Cruz!
Mayor Rotkin's got a sleeping ban he'll cite you if you snooze!
And if you're warm beneath your quilts you blankets you will lose!
Bad tidings not comfort or joy, comfort or joy!
Bad tidings not comfort or joy!


The sidewalks are for business use, so don't delay or sit!
We've friendly cops with ticket books, three hundred bucks a hit.
They'll show up fast in squads of three as fast as you can spit.

Sad tidings, not comfort or joy, comfort or joy!
Sad tidings, not comfort of joy.

Yet this was made for all of us and not just for the rich
Watch out for "hosts" who prowl the street all smiling as they snitch.
And if you're mad, then just be glad, you know which way is which.

Mad tidings, not comfort or joy comfort or joy,
Mad tidings not comfort or joy.

In Santa Cruz we often fight for peace throughout the world
Discrimination isn't us,  just  keep your bedroll furl'd
Progressive politics with anti-poor laws here are swirled

Bad tidings, not comfort or joy, comfort or joy
Bad tidings, not comfort or joy



SGT. HARMS IS COMING DOWNTOWN

1. You better not sit, you better not beg
You better not chalk or drink from a keg.
Sgt. Harms is coming downtown.



2. He's making a list, he's checking it twice.
For poor folks are naughty and rich folks are nice.
Sgt. Harms is coming downtown


He knows if you have warrants,
He knows who are the bums,
He knows if you play hacky sack,
Or feed birds old bread crumbs.


3. You better just shop, cause nothing's for free.
You better be white and have an ID
Sgt. Harms is coming downtown!

4. You better not sleep, nor linger too long.
Nor dare to sit down while singing this song...
Sgt. Harms is coming downtown!

He knows if you're suspicious
Or hanging out while poor
Don't beg a dime after dark downtown
You'll get tickets by the score.

5. The benches are gone.
Get out of the parks
Don't sit in your car
Be gone after dark.
Sgt. Harms is coming downtown!


(and, any old time of year)...

DOWNTOWN

1.When you're alone and rents are making you homeless, you can always go...Downtown.
   When you get laid off, all the cops and their friends will move you to and fro...Downtown.
   Just try and find musicians who will still play in the city. 
   Linger on the sidewalk and the police will say "no sitting"...How can you win?
   The fines are much higher there; they have forgotten you live her, forgotten they care...
   When you're Downtown--there's lot of hate for you; Downtown--it's not so great for you
   Downtown--tickets are waiting for you.


2.Don't hang around and let the squad cars surround you, it's no movie show...Downtown.
   Try to sit down and then the hosts will remind you that it's time to go...Downtown.
   Just listen to the blaring of the motorcycles raging;
   Salute and show your papers or it's you they'll be a cagin'....Spanging again...
   The crowds are much whiter there; they just walk past all your troubles, step over your cares
   When you're Downtown, with all the shops uptight; Downtown lit up and so rich and bright;
   Downtown--uniforms watching for you.


3. When you stand up for the wretched and homeless, cops will drag you down...Downtown.
    They'll tell you shut up or face the weekend in lock-up, 'cause the merchants own..Downtown     
Yet you may find somebody poor like you to understand you.
    Someone who is getting screwed and needs a helping hand to stand and be strong.
    So maybe we'll face them there, we'll stand up to the bullshit; let bullies beware!
    When we're Downtown, things will be real when we're Downtown,
    Don't let 'em steal our rights.  Downtown let's stand together and fight..
    Downtown...stand your ground...Downtown...stand your ground.


4. Stop and speak out when the cops use bad laws to drive the poor away...Downtown.
    Ring out the alarm when the gunsels with badges turn the sunlight grey..Downtown.
    Raise the price of tyranny for those who run the city.
    Spark a new resistance to the petty and the shitty,  What's there to lose?
    It's better than hiding out; it's time to wake up and boogie, to stand up and shout...
    That this Downtown--it's all for here tonight; Downtown--not just for rich and white;
    Downtown let's find the strength to do right.


5. Remember what counts--that the sidewalks belong to everyone who goes...Downtown
    The rich and their cops may have the lawbooks but we're right to go...Downtown
    Don't run away from thugs today, whatever badge they're wearing
    It's time to care and time to dare to make this life worth bearing--Take back the joy!
    Yes, maybe we'll face them there.  we can't forget all our troubles but we'll share all our cares
    When we're Downtown--things will be real when you're...Downtown
    Don't let them steal your rights; Downtown, drag the truth into the light.

6. Time to get down and shout out to the merchants till they hear our call--Downtown.
    Stand up and stay strong; let your dollars speak louder, when you walk the mall--Downtown.
    Picketing bad business shops is all that we are urgin'.
    Raise the cry to those who lie and stop your friends fron splurgin', 'til there's a change...
    If all of us stand as one, we'll beat back the bigots and still have some fun
    When we're downtown...don't shop where bigots feed--Downtown
    Say no to merchant greed; Downtown--People, let's find a new way.


7. Billions for war, and the homeless get blamed for everything that's wrong--Downtown.
    Harass them some more to make them scurry along--that's the new merchant song--Downtown
    Disappear the benches; make the laws a little meaner.
    Add new nasty police patrols to make scared souls feel cleaner...Yo, what's that smell?
    The stench of hypocrisy; the cheap Xmas lights can't disguise what you see..
    That this Downtown--where poor folks are second class. 
    Downtown, with cops shoving homeless ass... Downtown---Time to say no and be free.