Hope everybody reading who celebrates is having a wonderful holiday week. We are here, despite having no snow.

One of my presents (pictured above) was brought to my attention by reader Ruth who left a comment on the post about the Billy Joel penned song “Christmas in Fallujah.” The first song written about the Iraq war from the soldier perspective wasn’t by Joel, but an artist named Jefferson Pepper who also named his entire CD that name. I wanted to hear the song next to the Joel version sung by Cass Dillon and this morning have been comparing the two songs.

Creative coincidences happen all the time. Sometimes they are a little too similar. I don’t believe other than the name of the song that’s the case here.

The Joel Fallujah is more acoustic rock than Pepper’s. Something Bon Jovi could have sung, while Pepper’s Christmas in Fallujah is more like The Eagles “Lyin Eyes.” Musically the two songs have nothing in common. The words to Pepper’s Fallujah are totally different with disturbing passages like this:

children snuggled in their beds
while the corpses of their parents
dance around in their heads
palaces and bridges
we burned them to the ground
someone got a contract
to rebuild the whole damn town
- Jefferson Pepper “Christmas in Fallujah”

You can buy Jefferson Pepper’s CD “Christmas in Fallujah” as I did from this website for $14.95 + shipping. Unlike the proceeds from the sale of Joel’s same titled song, no charities appear to be involved. The CD contains the following 12 tracks:

Christmas in Fallujah
M-16
Bethelehem, PA
Interstate Highway
Stranded
Back to 1999
Christmas Tree
Deceived
Soldier’s Joy
Why?
Armageddon for Sale
This Land is Your Land (Woody Guthrie cover)

+ one bonus untitled track (”American Woman” ? — and no, not the American Woman titled song, although ironic) that sounds a bit like something by Tom Petty.

“Christmas in Fallujah” is an alright CD if you’re into folk acoustic music. Not really a genre I’m hugely interested in, but Pepper’s lyrics and arrangements are solid. As far as Christmas music goes, if you’re tired of the classics, this is one worth a few listens. Also, it’s a useful reminder of the soldiers who are not home with their families during the holidays. Keep them in your thoughts.

• Billy Joel song about Iraq sung by Cass Dillon “Christmas In Fallujah”
• What did you give/receive for Christmas?
• Understanding the Christmas Crease Theory
• This year’s fake tree comes with lights
• Christmas Eve Game Wave and family traditions
• When do you flip the holiday switch?