Back Door Santa's Last Ride

Christmas Motown Soul 1960's, ballad, sleigh bells, male vocals

With a sack full of toys and a wink in his eye,
He’d say, “Merry Christmas, baby—dry them eyes.”
He fed the hungry, made the babies smile,
And he did it on the low, with signature style.

(Chorus)
🎵 It’s Back Door Santa’s last ride,
Rollin’ down the avenue one final time.
He gave love, gave joy, no fame in sight,
Now the streets all shine in his tail light.
Ohhh—back door Santa, you were one of a kind,
Makin’ Christmas magic in the soul of the time. 🎵

(Verse 2)
He wasn’t no saint, he drank a lil gin,
Played dominoes with sinners and prayed with them again.
Had a velvet hat, and a laugh so deep,
He knew every kid’s name from Elm to 33rd Street.

Never asked for credit, never asked for much,
Just a handshake, a slice, and a gentle touch.
Mama said, “That man got an angel’s plan,”
Even though he drove with a house band van.

(Chorus)
🎵 It’s Back Door Santa’s last ride,
Rollin’ through the snow with his head held high.
From the juke joints to the candy shops,
He made the whole city feel like it won’t stop.
Ohhh—back door Santa, play your tune,
Your love still echoes like a Sunday afternoon. 🎵

(Bridge – spoken + sung)
(Spoken:)
Now he’s hangin’ up his keys, puttin’ the suit away.
Says the world needs new Santas now…
and he's passin’ the sleigh.

(Sung:)
But we remember the knock, the twinkle and grin,
The man who gave love from the outside in.

(Verse 3)
So we light up the porch with red and gold,
Tell the young ones the stories, the ones he told.
Like how he fixed that heater in ‘62,
And brought Miss Dee that Sunday stew.

He may be done, but the groove goes on,
You hear it in the laughter every dawn.
And if a window taps on a snowy night,
You’ll know he left behind that light.

(Final Chorus)
🎵 It’s Back Door Santa’s last ride,
Cruisin’ through our hearts on the soul train line.
He brought more than toys, he brought peace of mind,
Laid that rhythm deep in the hands of time.
Ohhh—Back Door Santa, ride on strong,
Your spirit’s in our stockings and our song. 🎵

(Outro – softly fading with horns and children humming)
🎶 Mmm... Back Door Santa…
We’ll keep the fire burnin’ ‘til you're home... 🎶

2341/7500

(Verse 1) They called him Back Door Santa, king of the block, A red suit in a Caddy, tickin’ like a clock. Didn’t come down no chimney, didn’t knock no door, He’d tap on the window and slide across the floor. With a sack full of toys and a wink in his eye, He’d say, “Merry Christmas, baby—dry them eyes.” He fed the hungry, made the babies smile, And he did it on the low, with signature style. (Chorus) 🎵 It’s Back Door Santa’s last ride, Rollin’ down the avenue one final time. He gave love, gave joy, no fame in sight, Now the streets all shine in his tail light. Ohhh—back door Santa, you were one of a kind, Makin’ Christmas magic in the soul of the time. 🎵 (Verse 2) He wasn’t no saint, he drank a lil gin, Played dominoes with sinners and prayed with them again. Had a velvet hat, and a laugh so deep, He knew every kid’s name from Elm to 33rd Street. Never asked for credit, never asked for much, Just a handshake, a slice, and a gentle touch. Mama said, “That man got an angel’s plan,” Even though he drove with a house band van. (Chorus) 🎵 It’s Back Door Santa’s last ride, Rollin’ through the snow with his head held high. From the juke joints to the candy shops, He made the whole city feel like it won’t stop. Ohhh—back door Santa, play your tune, Your love still echoes like a Sunday afternoon. 🎵 (Bridge – spoken + sung) (Spoken:) Now he’s hangin’ up his keys, puttin’ the suit away. Says the world needs new Santas now… and he's passin’ the sleigh. (Sung:) But we remember the knock, the twinkle and grin, The man who gave love from the outside in. (Verse 3) So we light up the porch with red and gold, Tell the young ones the stories, the ones he told. Like how he fixed that heater in ‘62, And brought Miss Dee that Sunday stew. He may be done, but the groove goes on, You hear it in the laughter every dawn. And if a window taps on a snowy night, You’ll know he left behind that light. (Final Chorus) 🎵 It’s Back Door Santa’s last ride, Cruisin’ through our hearts on the soul train line. He brought more than toys, he brought peace of mind, Laid that rhythm deep in the hands of time. Ohhh—Back Door Santa, ride on strong, Your spirit’s in our stockings and our song. 🎵 (Outro – softly fading with horns and children humming) 🎶 Mmm... Back Door Santa… We’ll keep the fire burnin’ ‘til you're home... 🎶

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