Senate Christmas Carol Parody 2025
Back when the University of Waterloo’s biggest problem was its inability to enjoy life, the powers that be would schedule a December meeting of Senate. Of course this wasn’t very well received; you can only push the peasantry so far before they grab their pitchforks and storm the castle. The meetings were almost always cancelled, and to mark the occasion I began writing Christmas carol parodies to reflect upon the year that was.
Santa Vivek in his merciful wisdom has abolished the December Senate meeting, but the Senate Christmas carol parody continues. This year’s carol is sung to the tune of “Silver Bells”; it speaks to the decline in morale that many are feeling on campus, and I suppose in the world, too.
I hope the carol lifts your spirits even if you listen to the recording of me singing it (instead of just singing the parody in your head).
For those of you annoyed by the fudged rhyme and metre, just know that all the great songwriters - Tay Tay, Queen B, George Michael - do that.
Recent Parodies
“Senate Bells”
Sung to the tune of “Silver Bells”
Campus sidewalks, empty sidewalks,
only geese can be seen.
Waterloo
is preparing
for Senate.
“Why’s it so long?”
“And so boring?”
“Will I fall asleep now?”
You can bet Senators will
doze off.
Senate bells, Senate bells
It’s meeting day on the campus.
Ring-a-ling, much snoring:
the sound of Senate at work.
We are stuck here
at this meeting
Will we ever go home?
And yet someone just asked
about a comma.
Yes a comma,
a measly comma,
that’s how we spend our time.
Just pray that no one will
find out.
Senate bells, irksome bells,
We need to do something useful.
Ring-a-ling, it’s time to fling
boredom and ennui to the wind.
Morale is sinking.
AI is rising:
students use it too damn much.
And the Staff must spend more days
on campus.
But let’s remember:
we have each other,
and we’re all drinking age –
at the Grad House we’ll drown
our sorrows!
Senate bells, depressing bells:
that’s life today on a campus.
Here’s the thing: we need to sing,
and find some joy in each day!
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to you and yours!
- Senator Skid