There was small town at the base of a hill
Where the Weebums of Whistler were wishing for chill
A thick blanket of snow to warm all their hearts
For a fresh fall, some fresh tracks, for the season to start.
The Weebums were worried, for they have nothing to sell
But their smiles and their dreams and the slope of two hills
That once welcomed the world with wide open grace
Registers ringing and singing all over the place.
But the world ran out of money, Dow and Nikkei
WaMu and Wachovia, Freddie Mac, Franny May
AIG, Citi, JP Morgan, Bear Stearns
More money owing then they hoped to earn.
But the Weebums had rooms to fill, restaurants and shops
A shiny new gondola from the top to the top
So they cut their rates back and hoped, wished and dreamed
For more snow, a low dollar, cheaper gasoline...
But you have to do more than dream, wish and hope
To survive this kerfuffle, this grab and this grope
"The regional market will save us," they said
"For everyone loves us (though our prices they dread!)"
Just then a figure appeared, dressed in red head to toe
Beard hung to his belt, reddish tint to his nose
But not who you'd think, this was no Santa Clause
'Twas the ghost of old Rabbit, come to tell us all off!
"For too long you've courted the rich and the spurious
With words like 'exclusive', 'five-star', and 'luxurious'
You forgot why you moved there, you Weebums, you louts
You forgot what the spirit of skiing's all about!
"It's not about money, and it's not about wealth
It's about fun and excitement and enjoying yourself
It's about family and friends, and embracing the season
And good health and sharing, all sorts of good reasons."
And the Weebums hung heads, so sure they were doomed
Was it too much about money, filling too many rooms?
"Did we build it too big, did we err when we laboured?
When we shot for the globe, did we overlook our neighbours?"
Said Rabbit, "when I came there was nothing, when I left there was much
And for a while the spirit continued to flourish untouched
But a place that was great could be great once again
When it finds what it lost, and that's its reason for bein'
"It wasn't about money, and it wasn't always about snow
It was about being the place we all wanted to go."
The Weebums scratched their heads, for Rabbit was wise
"But how in sweet Christmas do you turn back the time?"
"It starts with a smile," said Rabbit with a smile of his own.
"Add a kind word and a handshake, and then open your home.
Be generous, be gracious, be "Whistler" I call it
For a person is much more than the stuff in their wallets."
And the Weebums did laugh, then they went for aprés
"Let's all be Whistler," they said, "starting today!"
And Rabbit skied off through the night, as snow started to fall,
"Don't forget where you came from, and Merry Christmas to all!"