<em>HuffPost Premiere</em>: Paul Simon's "Getting Ready For Christmas Day" (Free Download)

In Spring 2011, Paul Simon's new albumwill be unveiled but not before one of its most interesting tracks, "Getting Ready For Christmas," is made available here.
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Paul Simon "Getting Ready For Christmas Day"

In Spring 2011, Paul Simon's new album So Beautiful Or So What will be unveiled but not before one of its most interesting tracks, "Getting Ready For Christmas Day," is made available by Hear Music/Concord Music Group as a free download for HuffPost readers. The track--featuring a sample of a 1941 pre-war speech by American Christian preacher and gospel singer, Reverend J.M. Gates--is free for the next four days after which it can be purchased on iTunes from the link below. Also included here are the lyrics to this quasi-seasonal recording whose topical message, combined with its regional production values and gospel blend, makes this the most intelligent "Christmas" offering of the year proving yet again that Paul Simon is the smartest kid on the block.

"Getting Ready For Christmas Day"
© 2010 Music by Paul Simon, Words by Paul Simon and Rev. J. M. Gates

From early in November to the last week of December
I got money matters weighing me down
Oh the music may be merry, but it's only temporary
I know Santa Claus is coming to town

In the days I work my day job, in the nights I work my night
But it all comes down to working man's pay
Getting ready, I'm getting ready, ready for Christmas Day

Reverend Gates:
Getting ready for Christmas Day
And let me tell you, namely, the undertaker, he's getting ready for your body
Not only that, the jailer he's getting ready for you
Christmas day. Hmm? And not only the jailer, but the lawyer, the police force
Now getting ready for Christmas day, and I want you to bear it in mind

I got a nephew in Iraq it's his third time back
But it's ending up the way it began
With the luck of a beginner he'll be eating turkey dinner
On some mountain top in Pakistan

Below is the iTunes link:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/getting-ready-for-christmas/id403871814

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