As usual, Tom is right...when he introduced this version of the song to me I was neither inspired nor enthusiastic. But I humored him just the same and struggled through it painfully in the first runs of it. I was however, interested in the idea. It wouldn't have been my first choice for a Christmas song. I just couldn't seem to get past the timing part which was really off the wall...but I should know this by now as it has long been a trademark of Tom's. I usually can figure it out quicker but this one was difficult. Once I deciphered the beginning time on my own without Tom counting it off for me in a different signature, I figured it out enough to make it work. Of course I had to rub it in with Tom and honestly, I wasn't in the best of moods to begin with and this just compounded things to say the least and unfortunately, Tom happened to be on the receiving end of my frustration that particular evening. So he burned me a copy of what we laid down on scratch and I took it home with me. As I listened, I figured it out better. But I played it for a select few close to me and they pretty much told me what I had already concluded about the arrangement... including my 11 year old son who looked at me and said, "Dad, isn't that out of time?" I was almost quick to the defense, as it had my stamp on it...but I caught myself and it brought a chuckle and a smile to my face. Of course, I couldn't wait to speak with Tom to report this. I almost think his daughter Antonia may have said something to the same effect. I'm sure Tom will correct me in his rebuttal. All in all, the arrangement turned out satisfactory and it's yet another permanent record in the UDM history books.

Tom's Rebuttle: Maybe on Mars it's out of time but on Earth 4/4 is a common time signature.