A Pittsburgh Steelers' Christmas

2006

A Pittsburgh Steelers' Christmas was inspired by Bloomfield residents' enthusiasm for both seasonal decorations and Steelers memorabilia. Bloomfield is a neighborhood of Pittsburgh, and The Steelers are the city’s football team. In "The 'Burgh," symbols associated with the Steelers approach the status of religious iconography. I was fascinated by the overlapping Steelers/Christmas imagery and began documenting the hybrid displays on-view throughout the neighborhood.

As my archive of Steelers' Christmas images grew, I began thinking about Christmas carols and adapting the lyrics, so they too could incorporate Pittsburgh and the Steelers. The revised carols celebrated home and the sense of community that Christmas once represented. As consumerism overshadows other aspects of the holiday, Christmas no longer holds many of these associations for me. However, the Steeler-ized Christmas displays of Bloomfield presented a new take on the holiday and I wanted to offer something in return for my neighbor’s decorative efforts.

When I’d adapted enough carols to fill a songbook, I rounded up some friends and went a-caroling.

God Rest Ye Merry Pittsburgher

God rest ye merry Pittsburgher
Let nothing you dismay
Remember that your neighbors are not so far away
And we'll be here to he-elp you
If trouble comes your way
Oh, city of comfort and joy
Comfort and Joy
Oh, city of comfort and joy...

Joy to the World and Pittsburgh Too

Joy to the world and Pittsburgh too
Our city is the best!
Come and fill her streets
Empty every ro-oo-oom
And join us now to sing
And join us now to sing
And join us, joi-oi-oin us now to sing...