Daily Dialogue — December 25, 2015

COP: Attention, attention citizens. Terrible news. There’s still no sign of Santa Claus. Although the impostor has been shot down, it looks like Xmas will have to be canceled this year. I repeat the impostor has been shot down but there’s still no sign ……

JACK (performed by Danny Elfman):
What have I done?
What have I done?
How could I be so blind?
All is lost, where was I?
Spoiled all, spoiled all
Everything’s gone all wrong

What have I done?
What have I done?
Find a deep cave to hide in
In a million years they’ll find me
Only dust and a plaque
That reads, ‘Here Lies Poor Old Jack”

But I never intended all this madness, never
And nobody really understood, well how could they?
That all I ever wanted was to bring them something great
Why does nothing ever turn out like it should?

Well, what the heck, I went and did my best
And, by god, I really tasted something swell
And for a moment, why, I even touched the sky
And at least I left some stories they can tell, I did

And for the first time since I don’t remember when
I felt just like my old bony self again
And I, Jack, the Pumpkin King
That’s right! I am the Pumpkin King, ha, ha, ha, ha

And I just can’t wait until next Halloween
’Cause I’ve got some new ideas that will really make them scream
And, by God, I’m really going to give it all my might
Uh oh, I hope there’s still time to set things right
Sandy Claws, hmm

— The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), written by Caroline Thompson (screenplay), Michael McDowell (adaption), based on a story and characters by Tim Burton

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Christmas Frenzy. Today’s suggestion by Katha.

Trivia: Tim Burton has said the original poem was inspired after seeing Halloween merchandise display in a store being taken down and replaced by a Christmas display. The juxtaposition of ghouls and goblins with Santa and his reindeer sparked his imagination.

Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary by Katha: “Jack‘s frenzy and love for Christmas went a bit over the top. He admits it in this scene.”

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