(Verse 1) Chemo nearly done, Christmas coming near, Thought I’d make it through the night With only nausea and fear. Then my heartbeat lost its mind, Galloped out of tune, Karen grabbed my shaking wrist And drove me to trauma soon. (Chorus) Bleep-bleep bells, heart-rate spells, ICU all day, Machines honked loud and sang along In merry disarray! Hey! Bleep-bleep bells, pulse-rate hells, Wires and flashing lights, Singing Jingle Bells at midnight Through those Christmas nights! (Verse 2) Children in the hall, Threatening the staff, Every time the monitor screamed They nearly had a laugh— Well, not exactly laughter, More hysteria and dread, While I unplugged the electrodes To crawl out of the bed. (Chorus) Bleep-bleep bells, heart-rate spells, ICU all day, Machines honked loud and sang along In merry disarray! Hey! (Verse 3) Old lady next to me Couldn’t sleep at all, Brushed her hair with buzzing things While lights lit up the hall. Then a shaky voice cried out, Half asleep with fright: “Switch off that damned radio— And hide that thing tonight!” (Bridge — slower and dramatic) Oh, the nurses glared at us, Sleeping pills came round, But laughter echoed through the ward Above the beeping sound. Then morning came with cardiologists Marching in a line… And one with silver curly hair Made my monitor lose time. (Final Chorus — big finish) Bleep-bleep bells, ICU bells, Still alive hooray! Christmas hearts and broken rhythms Somehow find their way! Hey! Bleep-bleep bells, chemo tales, What a night that was— Turns out even near disaster Still can make us buzz!
