The Krampus Song by Wild Earp.
Tonight is Krampsnact when St. Nicholas and a foul creature called the Krampus stroll casually into into Alpine and Tyrolian villages from Bavria, to Austria, to Czech lands and beyond in Central Europe together. The kindly Bishop spends the night filling the shoes or stockings of good children to find when they wake up on January 5, the good Saint's feast Day. The Krampus, on the other hand, goes immediately to work hunting down nasty and disobedient youngsters. Depending on local traditions the hideous ogre beats the brats with bundles of birch or willow wands or straps of shoe leather. In severe cases he might even boil and eat them.
The Krampus is a large goat/man with long curved horns, pointed ears, covered in thick black hair, a long forked tongue, with one human foot and on goat's cloven hoof. In other words, he bares a remarkable likeness to Satan in midieval art. He is descended from pre-Chistian monster and demigod figures.
Krampus may have appealed the stern and bloody minded German traditions but he was too nasty even for crypto Nazis. In 1932 the Austrian clerical fascist Fatherland Front and Christian Social Party banned Krampus despite his hooked nose and supposed resemblance to a stereotypical Jew. In the 1950s the center-right Austrian government published The Krampus is an Evil Man pamphlets because of psychological damage to children. But local observations, including parades and bon fires continued.
In the 21st Century public displays have become more common as assertions of cultural pride. Neo fascist young men are joining costumed marchers. In places in Bavaria and Austria hooliganism and minor rioting has intimidated migrants and refugees, Jews, and leftists.
Today the Texas alt rockers Wild Earp sing all about the Krampus. Many Germans settled East Texas and brought some of their folk traditions with them. But the Krampus was a minor figure at best. Wild Earp's song is a tongue in cheek tribute.
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