There is a conspiracy afoot. I didn't want to break it to you last week in respect for the Christmas season, but now that all the presents are unwrapped and the decorative pine trees have either been disassembled or dragged to the curb, I think I am safe to disclose to you this troubling peice of news. I wrote an article a while back about how Sleigh Ride, popular Christmas carol, had in actuality nothing at all to do with Christmas. Shocking, I know. This prompted me to do a little research, and after a full five minutes of thought, I discovered a couple of other 'winter' songs masquerading as Christmas Songs. I am today prepared to unmask these imposters.

First on the list is the popular Christmas classic, Let It Snow. This song is not about Christmas. It makes no mention of family, shopping, Santa Claus, or anything like that. It may, in fact, have the least to do with Christmas out of the bunch. The song is really about how the singer wants a snow storm to continue so that he/she can make out in front of the fire place with his/her girlfriend/boyfriend.

Next up is a real holiday favorite, Winter Wonderland. This song is about screwing around in the snow, and generally being happy in the wintertime. While that's a little closer in subject matter than Let It Snow, it is still just a winter song. Winter doesn't end on December 25th you know.

The last one shocked me. I read the lyrics several times just to make sure that I was right, and I will print them here so that you can see for yourself, because this is a biggie. Really big. If you asked 100 school children to make a list of their top five favorite Christmas songs, I'd bet this one would make the list. at least better than 60% of the time. Ready?

Jingle bells.

I know. Read for yourself:

Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob tails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight

(chorus x2)

See. It's just another song about sleighing. It has nothing to do with Christmas. It was apparently not even written for Christmas, but for thanksgiving, although I can't really see what it has to do with that holiday either.

So there you go. I hate to break the bad news but I feel it is my duty. These things must not go by unchecked. The good news is that if you are a fan of these holiday favorites, you can now sing them well into March. Remember, knowledge is half the battle.