The Cleaning Song

Four days ago we celebrated Christmas. The kids frolicked in a sea of wrapping paper and ribbon, high on the joys of toys. The parents staggered across the finish line that marks Dec. 25, relieved to have survived the marathon that is Christmas preparation. We collapsed onto couches, whispering to ourselves in awe, “I made it. I actually got everything done for today.” I’ve had three days to recuperate but today another big event arrived: the post-Christmas clean-up. We have tons of stuff everywhere: mittens, toys, and candy wrappers on the floor, boxes and art supplies covering the table, Christmas stockings kicked under the couch, empty gift bags piled almost as high as the Christmas tree. If we had a chandelier, I’m sure we’d have a live reindeer swinging on it. The clutter is getting to me so I finally decided to tackle the mess today. Below is a song I improvised while crouched on the living room floor, gathering up dozens of puzzle pieces, scraping lollypop goo off other puzzle pieces, muttering about how much stuff is everywhere, and wondering if I’d ever make a noticeable dent in all this post-Christmas debris. I realized the song could cheer on other overwhelmed parents who also may be tackling the post-game mess. The weary parents of the world need an anthem. Since I also needed a break from the clean-a-thon, I abandoned the mix of puzzle pieces and pine needles and hobbled down the hall to the computer to write down the words to this fight song before my frazzled brain forgets why I’ve hobbled down the hall. Dedicated to tired post-Christmas parents everywhere:  

The Cleaning Song

(To be sung to the tune of “Old McDonald had a Farm”)

Mama Sarah cleaned all day.

(Woe is woe is me.)

She tried so hard to put stuff away.

(Woe is woe is me.)

Every time she turned around

(Woe is woe is me.)

Another mess was on the ground.

(Woe is woe is me.)

With a sweep, sweep here

And a sweep, sweep there

Here I sweep, there I sweep

Pine needles under our feet.

Mama Sarah cleaned all day

(Woe is woe is me.)

Oh Calgon, Calgon take me away.

(Woe is woe is me.)