Maybe I'm diving too deep into this, and it's a kids film after all.
When Mr Scrooge says: "How would the bookkeepers suddenly like to be... UNEMPLOYED?!!"
To me, that was a jump scene, almost a scare scene. lol. It scared me as a kid the first time I saw it. So when the bookkeepers danced to a Jamaican chant, I was surprised - I thought they run away in fear instead. Haha ;D
They were complaining about the coal. The Jamaican dance declares they are warm and toasty. No complaints. No Sir!
shareI somehow saw them dancing and singing that song as them actually not liking working for Scrooge and being happy to go work somewhere else.
1, 2 Freddy's coming for you. 3, 4 better lock your door.
First time I saw that was on Siskel and Ebert when they reviewed the film and showed the clip. It was funny that they quickly changed into beachwear and started singing "Island in the Sun" in response to Scrooge threatening to fire them over their complaining of the cold. As to Caine's yelling that, that was the point, he wasn't supposed to be nice then. I think Jim Henson would've liked that.
shareThis line cracked up my sons for years, even today now that they are in their mid twenties.
We just finished watching it.