The Beatles' Christmas Fan Club single, 1967 Written by: Lennon-McCartney-Harrison-Starkey
Recorded: 28 November 1967
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Geoff Emerick

Released: iv December 1995

Available on:
'Free Every bit A Bird' unmarried

Personnel

John Lennon: vocals, bass drum
Paul McCartney: vocals, piano
George Harrison: vocals, acoustic guitar
Ringo Starr: vocals, drums, tap dancing
George Martin: vocals
Victor Spinetti: vocals, tap dancing
Mal Evans: spoken give-and-take

The Beatles' Christmas 1967 fan guild disc was the usual mixture of skits, improvised nonsense and jokes. However, interspersed between the spoken word sections was an especially-written vocal, 'Christmas Time (Is Here Again)'.

The song was credited to all 4 members of The Beatles. Each of them joined in on vocals, equally did producer George Martin and player Victor Spinetti.

The skits, which punctuated the vocal at regular intervals, contained parodies of radio and tv broadcasts, a tap dancing duet by Ringo Starr and Spinetti, a cursory rendition of Plenty Of Jam Jars past "The Ravellers", and a spoof advertisement for the miraculous product Wonderlust. It ended with a nonsense poem by John Lennon, narrated on top of an organ version of 'Auld Lang Syne'.

The uncut version lasted 6'37", but was later edited to remove swearing and excessive laughter. Information technology was recorded on 28 November 1967, and edited the following solar day. It was and so sent to Lyntone Records, who pressed the fan club flexi-disc.

Released in 1995, the 'Gratuitous As A Bird' single contained a 3'03" mix of 'Christmas Fourth dimension (Is Here Once again)'. Towards the end of this version, somewhat incongruously, some Christmas Beatle greetings from 1966 were included. These were extracts from recordings made on 6 December 1966 for the pirate stations Radio London and Radio Caroline.

'Christmas Time (Is Hither Again)' was The Beatles' final Christmas disc to be recorded together at Abbey Road. In 1968 and 1969 their contributions were recorded separately, and edited together to give a sense of unity.

In 1999 Ringo Starr re-recorded the vocal for his Christmas album I Wanna Be Santa Claus, with Aerosmith's Joe Perry on guitar.

Lyrics

Christmas time is hither again
Christmas fourth dimension is here again
Christmas time is here once more
Christmas time is here again

Ain't been circular since you lot know when
Christmas time is here again
O-U-T spells "out"

The boys get in at BBC House.

"What do you want?"
"We have been granted permission, O wise one."
"Ah, pass in peace."

Christmas time is hither again
Christmas time is…

"An audition will be held at 10am, Wednesday the first in the fluffy rehearsal rooms. Bring your own!"
"Cheers. Next please!"
"Would over here be convenient for you?"
"Behave on!"
"Over hither. Are you 13, huh?"
"Next, delight!"

Get Wonderlust for your trousers
Get Wonderlust for your pilus

"Sitting with me in the studio tonight is a cross section of British youth. I'd similar first of all to speak to y'all, Sir Gerald."
"Oh, not a bit of it. Nosotros take a job to do, Michael."
"Ah, yes, yes, quite. I don't recollect you're answering my question."
"Oh, let me put it this way: there was a job to be done."

Christmas time is hither over again
Christmas time is here again

On to the next round!
Ding dong ding! Ha! Ha!

"In the recent heavy fighting near Blackpool, Mrs G Evans of Solihull was gradually injured. She wants, for all the people in hospital, Plenty Of Jam Jars by the Ravellers. And here it is."

Enough of jam jars, baby
Plenty of jam jars for you (For you lot, baby)
Enough of jam jars, baby
Plenty of jam jars for you
Enough of jam jars, baby (Infant, baby)
Plenty of jam jars for you
Plenty of jam jars, babe
Plenty of jam jars for you

"And how old are you?"
"Thirty-two."
"Ooh!"
"Never…"
"I am!"
"Get abroad."
"I am!"
"Well, what prize have you got your optics on?"
"I have?"
"Ooh!"
"Well you've simply won a trip to Denver and five others."
"Ooh!"
"Thank you."
"And likewise – wait for it – yous take been elected as contained candidate for Paddington!"
"Ooh!"
"Look after yourself! Ha ha!"

Get Wonderlust for your trousers
Get Wonderlust for your pilus

Theatre hour is brought to y'all tonight from the artillery of someone new.

"Hello? I'chiliad speaking from a call box!"
"Hi? Hi, operator? Hello, operator? I've been cut off! I've been cut off! It's emergency!"

O-U-T spells "out"

Christmas time is here again
Ain't been circular since you know when
Christmas time is hither again
O-U-T spells "out"

Christmas fourth dimension is hither again

"And how old are you?"
"30-two! Ha ha ha!"
"Never! Ha ha ha!"
"Well, you lot won a prize! Ha ha ha!"
"Get off the show! Ha ha ha!"
"They'd like to thank you for a wonderful year."
"Nosotros'd like to thanks for a wonderful year."
"Thank you for a wonderful year."
"Conduct on!"
"Look after yourself! Ha ha ha!"
"Come in!"

When Christmas time is o'er,
and your bonny clay united states through.
Happy breastling to you people
All our all-time from me to you.
When the beasty brangle mutton
To the heather in the glen
I'll exist struttin' oot in my tether
To your artillery once back over again.
Och away, ye bonnie.