by Ines, age 8 from Faro, Portugal, asks Santa about the song’s lyrics, the Algarve region, and its fishing traditions.
Dear Santa, my name is Ines, and I am eight years old. I live in Faro, Portugal, where my avo says our region has some of the warmest, sunniest weather in the entire country.
Dear Ines, a region that sunny makes for one of the most pleasant stops on my entire route, your avo picked a truly comfortable hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
What are the lyrics to ‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town’? My avo hums it every year but never gets the words quite right.
Those particular words belong to the songwriters who wrote them, Ines, so I will leave the exact lyrics to your avo’s memory, humming and all. What I can say is that a cheerful song like that always sounds wonderful, mixed up words included.
My avo says Faro is the capital of a region called the Algarve. Is that true?
It is true, Ines, Faro serves as the capital of the Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region. I always enjoy that warm, coastal landscape on my way to your rooftop.
My avo says fishing has been an important part of life in the Algarve for a very long time. Is that true?
It is true, Ines, fishing has shaped daily life and tradition across the Algarve for generations, boats heading out and returning with the day’s catch. That kind of steady, hardworking tradition is really something worth admiring.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Ines Carvalho
Faro, Portugal
P.S. Will you hum along with my avo’s version this year?
I will do my best, Ines, though my humming is better appreciated at a respectful distance.
