The concept for this little number was born last summer at the Anderson family reunion at Bear Lake when I made the push to insist that a poem of some kind was required to go along with each grown-up gift at the family holiday gift exchange this year. The poems were meant to connect the gift, the giver, and the receiver all in one. This is what I came up with for my gift to my brother Taylor. As is obvious, I adapted the song from Adam Sandler's "Hannukah Song." Initially, I wanted to try to imitate his voice, but as I practiced the song over and over again I found that it is actually very hard to sound pre-pubescent and overly obnoxious while singing. I recorded the song with my webcam, so the sound does not exactly sync up with the video.
The song really only makes sense if you know what the three different gifts are that I got for Taylor. (1) The book is Bart Ehrman's Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why. In this book, Dr. Ehrman is able to convey in layman's terms the hard-to-grapple with, but spot-on facts and theories I came to acknowledge as a biblical studies graduate student at Vanderbilt. I am usually cast out as a heretic when I try to bring up these ideas during Sunday School. I learned long ago that it better to be quiet about such things on Sunday. (2) The picture is a 5 x7 artistic representation of an elephant made out of thin strips of wood glued onto a black piece of cloth. It was made in Ethiopia. The white tusks stick out because the body of the elephant is made up of shades of brown. Mary and I made the frame for the picture from red-stained bamboo shoots purchased at Michaels, hot glue, and rope. (3) The kipa (alt.: keepah) is the Hebrew word for what is more commonly known as the yarmulke, the Yiddish equivalent, worn by Jewish males. This particular kipa is one of six that I purchased in the Old City Jerusalem during my second semester as a student at the BYU Jersualem Center from January to May 2000.
After deciding to adapt the song from Adam Sandler's tune, I thought it would be fun to incorporate the three major December-centered celebrations into the gift itself. This is how I came up with the title. My choice of shirt (Ethiopia soccer shirt) and accessories (kipa and Coptic cross) in the video are meant to drive this point home:
(1) the book = Christmas
(2) the picture = Kwanza
(3) the kipa = Hannukah
After eight years of marriage, Mary is pretty much used to my eccentric antics, but I think she is still in shock from the cross necklace I put together.
Here are the lyrics for the song:
hanu-kwanz-mas
(adapted from Adam Sandler’s “Hanukah Song”)
come on now let’s celebrate, anderson party twenty-0-eight
clap your hands, don’t hesitate; red sweater vests are never out of date
some people think that a present is complete without the silly poem that lies underneath
enjoy this little diddy; it has three parts to tell about each gift in that overpriced postage box
this one book i bought for you
illuminates my point of view
explains why i hide and run
when sunday school has just begun
the picture comes from Africa
we made the frame from “scratch-ica”
umoja, ujima, ujamaa
the tusks are as white as shauna
this kipa cap I kept for you
covers your fading hairline too
represents your jewishness
so have a happy, happy, happy ... hanu-kwanz-mas
5 comments:
Nice Davin, a winner for sure! You even put it to music.
I love your deep thinking, Davin, and I love how you are into ALL the detail. Every little thing has a reason, in your gift, and fits together beautifully within the format you've drawn it all into. Did you know I spend a lot of my time thinking and putting things together in a simliar manner like that? Have for a good part of my adult life, I'm reflecting. Perhaps that's a bit too scarry for you. :) Too much information about mom. But, anyway, I enjoyed your 'gift' to Taylor tremendously. I liked hearing you sing again, too! Reminds me of when you used to live upstairs in my house.
By the way, COUNT MY VOTE FOR THE POEMS EVERY CHRISTMAS!!! I think they were a grand idea....something that should become a forever Anderson Tradition. Let's keep the idea going, Mr. B. How do we organize the adult gift exchange for 2009? Could we just figure out a random grid, or something, while at the same time assuring that everyone gets someone different than who they had this year? Would you take charge of the 'assigning' system, please, friend? Would that be alright with you?
And Niki, you've really peeked my interest now! Do I get to ever see the cross necklace you put together? That would be fun.
Oh, and one more comment. You performed your cleverly written song with such 'feeling'!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My favorite part is the receding hairline! :) Miss you Davin!
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