Christmas Carols? Part 3
~Deck the halls with boughs of holly.
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.~
Jim Ellison strode through the campus grounds on his way to Blair's office. He had promised to bring a book the younger man had accidentally left at the loft and needed for a later lecture. A group of students stood in the square, caroling. He mostly ignored them, the song just background noise. As they started the second verse, he caught one voice softly singing alternate lyrics:
~Deck the halls with poison ivy.
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.
'Tis the season to be naughty.
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.~
He scanned the crowd, finally focusing on a young lady standing off to one side. She was watching the carolers, a grin on her face. He wouldn't have even heard her if he hadn't been listening for anything unusual.
~Break a window, pop a tire.
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.~
Strangely enough, there was no bitterness apparent in her voice. In fact, Jim could have sworn he heard a hint of laughter as she sang. She sang with enthusiasm and cheer - just, not the right lyrics.
~Kick your Granny in the fanny.
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.~
As she finished, she gave a wave to the other carolers, hitched her backpack higher on her shoulder, and walked off towards the Student Union Center as the others swung into a third verse.
Jim shook his head, muttering to himself as he increased his pace, "And a Merry Christmas to you, too."