Are you familiar with Baboushka? I wasn't until I checked out a Caldecott-winning children's storybook from the library. Now, I can't claim this source is 100% accurate, but here's the cliff-notes version:
Baboushka was an old woman who lived alone in Russia. One blizzardy night, the three kings stop by her place on the way to find the newborn King. They say they've been following the star, but the snowstorm has made them lose track of it and they want a place to stop until the storm blows over. Baboushka opens up her home to them, and the three kings tell her the wonders of the Baby they're seeking. They even offer her the chance to go along, and Baboushka is thrilled. However, she asks if they're willing to wait until morning, and they insist they have to leave out that night. Thus, Baboushka gets left behind.
Later in the evening, she changes her mind and decides she wants to go with the wise men after all. She gathers up (or makes, I don't remember which) some simple toys for the baby and sets out after the wise men. Unfortunately, the snow has completely covered their tracks and she can't find any trace of them, so she wanders the countryside looking for them. She goes door to door, but nobody can tell her for certain where the kings are. And, to this day, every Christmas Eve she goes from house to house, seeking the Christ-child, and leaving toys for the children of the house in His honor.
Interesting that our symbol of gift-giving is a jolly fat man who lives in extravagance at the North Pole with magic and legions of workers who mass-produce toys for him, while Russian children have a kind-hearted beggar woman leaving gifts she made herself in honor of Christ.
Anyway, I worked up a little Christmas carol in honor of Baboushka and her neverending quest to find the wise men. I hope you like it.
(the song opens with a lovely strings section)
Where did they go?
I was searching (searching) for three men, quite wise
I was hoping (hoping) I might find those guys
I was looking for some camel footprints in the snow
(They're gone so long)
What can I do?
(Where did they go?)
Nyet, nyet, nyet
Don't know what I'm going to do
I've got to catch up with you.
You better slow down (slow down) sweet talkin' wise men (slow down)
That wind is blowing (blow, blow) My toes are freezing
Hold on (hold on) sweet talkin' wise men (hold on)
Feels like I'll search for you forever.
I was (making) little dolls and toys
To be giving (giving) to God's favorite Boy
I forgot to ask which star to chase
(They're gone so long)
What do I do?
(Where could they be?)
Nyet, nyet, nyet
Don't know what I'm going to do
I gotta catch up to you.
You better slow down (slow down) sweet talkin' wise men (slow down)
That wind is blowing (blow, blow) My toes are freezing
Hold on (hold on) sweet talkin' wise men (hold on)
Feels like I'll search for you forever.
I've been knocking (knocking) on my neighbor's door
I've been sleeping (sleeping) on a stranger's floor
People say you're prob'ly dead by now
(They're gone so long)
It's 2011.
(Folks have a point)
Nyet, nyet, nyet,
Don't know what I'm going to do.
I gotta catch up to you.
Oh,
You better slow down (slow down) sweet talkin' wise men (slow down)
That wind is blowing (blow, blow) My toes are freezing
Hold on (hold on) sweet talkin' wise men (hold on)
Feels like I'll search for you forever.
*************
(As always, a little help if you need a reference point)
