During this shopping season, - also referred to from time to time, as the Christmas season, I started reflect on the lyrics of the holiday’s standard, - Silver Bells. This 1950 classic popularized by Bing Crosby describes a cityscape during the holidays that’s all but vanishing from most American cities and towns. “…city sidewalks, busy sidewalks…” Since most downtown shopping district have faded-away this holiday vibrancy occurs in all likelihood within the realm of suburbia. An updated version will have to include a line or two describing busy parking lots in lieu of sidewalks and food courts in place of every street corner.

Silver bells, silver bells
it's Christmas time in the city
ring-a-ling, hear them ring
soon it will be Christmas day!

Children laughing, people passing

meeting smile after smile
and on every street corner you'll hear . . .

Silver bells ( silver bells! ) silver bells

( silver bells! )
it's Christmas time in the city
ring-a-ling ( ring-a-ling! ) hear them ring

( hear them ring!! )
soon it will be Christmas day!
Strings of street lights, even stop lights

blink of bright red an' green

as the shoppers rush home with their treasures!

Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch

this is Santa's big scene
and above all this bustle you'll hear . . .

Silver bells ( silver bells! ) silver bells

( silver bells! )
it's Christmas time in the city
ring-a-ling ( ring-a-ling! ) hear them ring

( hear them ring!! )
soon it will be Christmas day!