‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Ville

The restaurants and barrooms were hauntingly still

We thought it was rough with the detours last year

Then a Grinch named of Covid kicked us right in the rear

We’re all getting weary and from Santa we ask

Please bring back the old days when we didn’t need masks

And they ripped down old places to build the new T

Ball Square Bowling Alley, such fond memories

And soon Union Square will show off its new face

But I’ll always miss seeing the radiator place

As they razed my old high school and tore it apart

They also ripped out a piece of my heart

Somerville’s changing more day after day

Santa may not recognize it from his sleigh

On Prospect, on Winter on Clarendon Hill,

See the spirit of Christmas alive in The Ville

From Teele Square, To Davis Square, up to Magoun

The businesses will all be back very soon.

Though 2020 was a bummer in so many ways

The vaccine is here and there’ll be better days

We hope that our family and friends remain safe

When the masks are all gone, we’ll have smiles on our face  

Though Christmas in Somerville this year will be,

A lot more laid back with just family

Like the infant whose birth at this time we recall

That first celebration was joyous yet small

They brought gold, frankincense and myrrh, and I’ll say

Just as precious as Lysol, and wipes are today

A virtual visit may be the best bet

On this Christmas that none of us soon will forget

Stay healthy, because Somerville’s future is bright!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight.

— Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte