Miracle on 34th Street Trial (The Kringle Ballad)

folk ballad, protest song, Americana, country rock

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(Verse 1) It was the Supreme Court of New York, a chill December air, Judge Harper, worn and weary, saw a circus gathering there. And there sat Kris Kringle, white beard, eyes of steady blue, Charged with delusion, a gentle man, they tried to put him through. It was all started down at Macy's, a grand department store, He claimed to be the real one, the one we all adore. A man named Fred Gailey, sharp suit, but a lawyer on the skids, Said, “Your Honor, we defend the soul of all the little kids.” But the prosecution roared back, they knew the law was tight, Saying, “He’s a menace to the public, unfit to take flight.”
(Chorus) Kringle, Kringle, they tried to seal the book, They hauled him to the witness stand, they gave him a cold look. But the people on the sidewalk, they knew that he was true, A twinkle in his eye, a mission he was seeing through. He wasn't like a faker, or a crook upon the run, He just spread a little Christmas cheer to everyone.
(Verse 2) The witnesses came forward, a parade of worried souls, Psychologists and managers, fulfilling their paid roles. Mr. Sawyer, from behind the glass, he claimed the man was mad, Describing simple kindness as the worst disorder that they had. And old Doris Walker, the pragmatic, modern mind, Her daughter Susan, taught to doubt, the sharpest of her kind. She watched her lawyer sweetheart fight, with logic and with wit, For a gentle, red-clad stranger who refused to ever quit. He cross-examined every charge, he fought for what was right, Trying to bring the magic of the morning to the night.
(Chorus) Kringle, Kringle, they tried to seal the book, They hauled him to the witness stand, they gave him a cold look. But the people on the sidewalk, they knew that he was true, A twinkle in his eye, a mission he was seeing through. He wasn't like a faker, or a crook upon the run, He just spread a little Christmas cheer to everyone.
(Verse 3) The Judge was in a tight spot, the whole world watched the news, Afraid of public outrage, afraid to lose his shoes. He needed judicial notice, a fact of law and state, A reason clear and simple to decide old Kringle's fate. Then little Susan Walker, she walked right through the door, And handed Mr. Gailey a letter from the floor. "The Post Office," Fred declared aloud, "delivers every wish, They treat him as Saint Nicholas, sealed with a legal kiss!" A mountain of mailbags, hauled straight into the room, Thousands sent to Santa Claus, ending all the gloom.
(Chorus) Kringle, Kringle, they tried to seal the book, They hauled him to the witness stand, they gave him a cold look. But the mailbags on the marble floor, they proved that he was true, A twinkle in his eye, a mission he was seeing through. He wasn't like a faker, or a crook upon the run, He just spread a little Christmas cheer to everyone.
(Outro) The Judge, he slammed the gavel down, the decision was complete, "The U.S. government has testified! The verdict is to beat The charges of delusion! This case is at an end!" Kris Kringle smiled and nodded, his true, devoted friend. And the city started singing, the cynical found grace, And Susan found her spirit in a sleigh bell and a pace. Yeah, they tried to put the collar on the good man from the Pole, But the faith of a whole city saved his sweet, immortal soul.

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(Verse 1) It was the Supreme Court of New York, a chill December air, Judge Harper, worn and weary, saw a circus gathering there. And there sat Kris Kringle, white beard, eyes of steady blue, Charged with delusion, a gentle man, they tried to put him through. It was all started down at Macy's, a grand department store, He claimed to be the real one, the one we all adore. A man named Fred Gailey, sharp suit, but a lawyer on the skids, Said, “Your Honor, we defend the soul of all the little kids.” But the prosecution roared back, they knew the law was tight, Saying, “He’s a menace to the public, unfit to take flight.” (Chorus) Kringle, Kringle, they tried to seal the book, They hauled him to the witness stand, they gave him a cold look. But the people on the sidewalk, they knew that he was true, A twinkle in his eye, a mission he was seeing through. He wasn't like a faker, or a crook upon the run, He just spread a little Christmas cheer to everyone. (Verse 2) The witnesses came forward, a parade of worried souls, Psychologists and managers, fulfilling their paid roles. Mr. Sawyer, from behind the glass, he claimed the man was mad, Describing simple kindness as the worst disorder that they had. And old Doris Walker, the pragmatic, modern mind, Her daughter Susan, taught to doubt, the sharpest of her kind. She watched her lawyer sweetheart fight, with logic and with wit, For a gentle, red-clad stranger who refused to ever quit. He cross-examined every charge, he fought for what was right, Trying to bring the magic of the morning to the night. (Chorus) Kringle, Kringle, they tried to seal the book, They hauled him to the witness stand, they gave him a cold look. But the people on the sidewalk, they knew that he was true, A twinkle in his eye, a mission he was seeing through. He wasn't like a faker, or a crook upon the run, He just spread a little Christmas cheer to everyone. (Verse 3) The Judge was in a tight spot, the whole world watched the news, Afraid of public outrage, afraid to lose his shoes. He needed judicial notice, a fact of law and state, A reason clear and simple to decide old Kringle's fate. Then little Susan Walker, she walked right through the door, And handed Mr. Gailey a letter from the floor. "The Post Office," Fred declared aloud, "delivers every wish, They treat him as Saint Nicholas, sealed with a legal kiss!" A mountain of mailbags, hauled straight into the room, Thousands sent to Santa Claus, ending all the gloom. (Chorus) Kringle, Kringle, they tried to seal the book, They hauled him to the witness stand, they gave him a cold look. But the mailbags on the marble floor, they proved that he was true, A twinkle in his eye, a mission he was seeing through. He wasn't like a faker, or a crook upon the run, He just spread a little Christmas cheer to everyone. (Outro) The Judge, he slammed the gavel down, the decision was complete, "The U.S. government has testified! The verdict is to beat The charges of delusion! This case is at an end!" Kris Kringle smiled and nodded, his true, devoted friend. And the city started singing, the cynical found grace, And Susan found her spirit in a sleigh bell and a pace. Yeah, they tried to put the collar on the good man from the Pole, But the faith of a whole city saved his sweet, immortal soul.

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