Now censored and expurgated from any Canadian broadcasts of Mel Torme’s “The Christmas Song” (“Chestnuts roasting…”).
Believe or not, context is important, and times/Christmases past have been different. When Torme used that line, he was not out to deliberately go out of his way to abuse, denigrate, or insult northern native peoples. It probably occurred to him, as he was writing the line, that the people he saw outdoors on the holidays were really bundled up for cold weather and temperatures. In short, they were wearing apparel that simply looked like what northern native people wore. In short, he was indicating how cold outside it was and reached for a metaphor expressed, also, in a word that, way back then. was not verboten in the 1940s, ’50s right up to the 2000s.
No, I don’t think Mel Torme was evil. (Trump is evil; there’s a big difference.) And it doesn’t bother me to play my old version of the song memorably and powerfully recorded by Nat King Cole with the lyrics uncensored and un-pc’d. In fact, I still think exactly what Torme meant and intended: that people outside at this time of year are and have to be wrapped up in order to survive and enjoy the season. Over and over, historical and cultural context does matter and puts things in perspective. And if people can still have the perspective to see how things were intended, then there still remains some sanity in the world, especially at a time of important peaceful behaviors and attitudes.