15. AT THE CHRISTMAS BALL by Bessie Smith
Vocal with Joe Smith - cornet, Charlie Green - trombone, Fletcher Henderson - piano.
New York City, November 18, 1925.

Hey Bessie, Christmas here!

It's here, hurray for Christmas!

Christmas comes but once a year, and to me it brings good cheer,
And to everyone who likes wine and beer
Happy New Year is after that, happy I'll be, that is a fact
That is why I like to hear
Folks that say that Christmas is here

Christmas bells will ring real soon, even in the afternoon
There'll be no chimes shall ring at the Christmas Ball
Everyone must watch their step, or they will lose their rep
Everybody full of pep at the Christmas Ball

Grab your partner one an' all, keep on dancin' 'round the hall
And there's no one to fall, don't you dare to stall
If your partner don't act fair, don't worry, there's some more over there
Takin' a chance everywhere at the Christmas Ball

Here's Christmas in a party mode, toasted by the most celebrated of all blues singers. The pianist Fred Longshaw is credited with this song and its unusual structure with one verse and two choruses. Longshaw accompanied Bessie Smith on some records, though not this one.

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