| Santa Claus, go straight to the ghetto
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| Hitch up your reindeer, uh!
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| And go straight to the ghetto
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| Santa Claus, go straight to the ghetto
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| Fill every stockings you find
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| The kids are gonna love you so, uh!
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| Leave a toy for Johnny
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| Leave a doll for Mary
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| Leave something pretty for Donnie
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| And don’t forget about Gary
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| Santa Claus, uh, go straight to the ghetto
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| Santa Claus, go straight to the ghetto
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| Tell him James Brown sent you, huh!
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| And go straight to the ghetto
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| You know that I know that you will see
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| 'Cause that was once me
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| Hit it! | 
| Hit it!
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| You see mothers and soul brothers
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| Santa Claus, go straight to the ghetto
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| Santa Claus, oh Lord, go straight to the ghetto
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| Fill every stocking you find
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| The kids are gonna love you so
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| Fill every stocking you find
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| You know that they need you so
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| I’m begging you, Santa Clause
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| Go straight to the ghetto
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| If anyone wanna know
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| Tell him Hank Ballard told me so
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| Santa Claus, go straight to the ghetto
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| Never thought I’d realize
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| I’d be singing a song with water in my eyes
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| Santa Claus, go straight to the ghetto
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| Don’t leave nothing for me
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| I’ve had my chance, you see
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| Santa Claus, go straight to the ghetto
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| Santa Claus, the soul brothers need you so
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| Santa Claus, tell 'em James Brown sent you… |