Holiday Songs

1. Jingle Bells (James Pierpoint, 1857)

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O’er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight!

Refrain
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way.
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago
I thought I’d take a ride
And soon, Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side,
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
He got into a drifted bank
And then we got upsot. Refrain

2. Sleigh Ride

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling
Ring-ting-tingling too
Come on, it’s lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling, “Yoo hoo”
Come on, it’s lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap
Let’s go, let’s look at the show
We’re riding in a wonderland of snow
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap
It’s grand, just holding your hand
We’re riding along with a song
Of a wintry fairy land
Our cheeks are nice and rosy
And comfy cozy are we

We’re snuggled up together
Like two birds of a feather would be
Let’s take that road before us
And sing a chorus or two
Come on, it’s lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
There’s a birthday party
At the home of Farmer Gray
It’ll be the perfect ending of a perfect day
We’ll be singing the songs
We love to sing without a single stop
At the fireplace while we watch
The chestnuts pop; Pop! Pop! Pop!
There’s a happy feeling
Nothing in the world can buy
When they pass around the chocolate
And the pumpkin pie
It’ll nearly be like a picture print
By Currier and Ives

These wonderful things are the things
We remember all through our lives!
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling
Ring-ting-tingling too
Come on, it’s lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling, “Yoo hoo”
Come on, it’s lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap
Let’s go, let’s look at the show
We’re riding in a wonderland of snow
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap
It’s grand, just holding your hand
We’re riding along with a song
Of a wintry fairy land
Our cheeks are nice and rosy
And comfy cozy are we
We’re snuggled up together
Like two birds of a feather would be
Let’s take that road before us
And sing a chorus or two
Come on, it’s lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap
Whoa!

2. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

You know Dasher and Dancer
And Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid
And Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
(reindeer)
Had a very shiny nose
(like a light bulb)
And if you ever saw it
(saw it)
You would even say it glows
(like a flashlight)
All of the other reindeer

(reindeer)
Used to laugh and call him names
(like Pinocchio)
They never let poor Rudolph
(Rudolph)
Play in any reindeer games
(like Monopoly)

Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
(Ho Ho Ho)
Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?
Then how the reindeer loved him
(loved him)
As they shouted out with glee
(yippee)
“Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
(reindeer)
You’ll go down in history!”
(like MLK)

 

3. Jingle Bell Rock

[Verse 1]
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowin’ and blowin’ up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun

[Verse 2]
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancin’ and prancin’ in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air

[Pre-Chorus]
What a bright time, it’s the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin’ in a one-horse sleigh

[Chorus]
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin’ feet
That’s the jingle bell rock

[Pre-Chorus]
What a bright time, it’s the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin’ in a one-horse sleigh

[Chorus]
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin’ feet
That’s the jingle bell rock

 

4. Frosty the Snowman

[Verse 1]
Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal
Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale, they say
He was made of snow but the children know
How he came to life one day
There must have been some magic in
That old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around
Oh, Frosty the snowman
Was alive as he could be
And the children say he could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me

[Chorus]
Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Look at Frosty go
Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Over the hills of snow

[Verse 2]
Ooh Frosty the snowman
Knew the sun was hot that day
So he said, “Let’s run and we’ll have some fun
Now before I melt away.”
Down to the village
With a broomstick in his hand
Running here and there all around the square
Saying “catch me if you can!”
He led them down the streets of town
Right to the traffic cop
And he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler “Stop!”
Oh, Frosty the snowman
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye, saying
“Don’t you cry, I’ll be back again someday.”

[Chorus]
Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Look at Frosty go
Thumpety thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Over the hills of snow!

 

5. Deck the Halls

(Folk tune, Lyrics by Thomas Oliphant, 1862)

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Don we now our gay apparel,

Troll the ancient Yule tide carol,

See the blazing Yule before us,

Strike the harp and join the chorus.

Follow me in merry measure,

While I tell of Yule tide treasure,

Fast away the old year passes,

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,

Sing we joyous, all together,

Heedless of the wind and weather,

6. Winter Wonderland

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening (Doo)
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland

Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird (Ooo)
He sings a love song as we go along
Walking in a winter wonderland

[Verse 1]
In the meadow, we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He’ll say, “Are you married?” We’ll say, “No man”
But you can do the job when you’re in town

Later on, we’ll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid, the plans that we’ve made
Walking in a winter wonderland

[Chorus]
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland

Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song as we go along (Ooo)
Walking in a winter wonderland

[Verse 2:]
In the meadow, we can build a snowman
And pretend that he’s a circus clown
We’ll have lots of fun with Mr. Snowman
Yes, until the other kiddies knock him down

Later on, we’ll conspire (Ooo)
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid all the plans that we’ve made
Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter wonderland

 

7. Marshmallow World

[Verse 1]
It’s a marshmallow world in the winter
When the snow comes to cover the ground
It’s time for play, it’s a whipped cream day
I wait for it the whole year around
Those marshmallow clouds being friendly
In the arms of the evergreen trees
And the sun is red like a pumpkin head
It’s shining so your nose won’t freeze

[Bridge]
Oh, the world is your snowball, see how it grows
That’s how it goes whenever it snows
The world is your snowball just for a song
Get up and roll it along

[Verse 2]
Oh, it’s a yum yummy world made for sweethearts
Take a walk with your favorite girl
It’s a sugar date, but if spring is late
In winter it’s a marshmallow world

[Verse 3]
It’s a marshmallow world in the winter
When the snow comes to cover the ground

It’s time for play it’s a whipped cream day
I wait for it the whole year around
Those marshmallow clouds being friendly
In the arms of the evergreen trees

And the sun is red like a pumpkin head
It’s shining so your nose won’t freeze

[Bridge]
Oh, the world is your snowball, see how it grows
That’s how it goes whenever it snows
The world is your snowball just for a song
Get up and roll it along

[Outro]
It’s a yum yum world made for sweethearts
Take a walk with your favorite girl
It’s a sugar date, but if spring is late
In winter it’s a marshmallow world

 

8. Silver Bells

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style
In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you hear

Silver bells, silver bells
It’s Christmas time in the city
Ring a ling, hear them ring
Soon it’ll be Christmas day

Silver bells, silver bells
It’s Christmas time in the city
Ring a ling, hear them ring
Soon it’ll be Christmas day

[Verse 2]
(Strings of street lights, even stop lights, blink a bright red and green)
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures
(Hear the snow crush, see the kids bunch, this is Santa’s big scene)
And above all this bustle you hear

[Outro]
(Silver bells) Silver bells, (Silver bells) silver bells
It’s Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling (Ring-a-ling), hear them ring (Hear them ring)
Soon it’ll be Christmas Day
Silver bells, silver bells, silver, silver bells

 

 

9. Jolly Old St. Nicholas

(Folk song)

Jolly old St. Nicholas, Lean your ear this way!
Don’t you tell a single soul, What I’m going to say;
Christmas Eve is coming soon, Now, you dear old man,
Whisper what you’ll bring to me: Tell me if you can.

When the clock is striking twelve, When I’m fast asleep,
Down the chimney broad and black, With your pack you’ll creep.
All the stockings you will find Hanging in a row;
Mine will be the shortest one, You’ll be sure to know.

Johnny wants a pair of skates, Susie wants a sled
Nellie wants a picture book, yellow, blue and red
Now I think I`ll leave to you what to give the rest
Choose for me dear Santa Claus, what you think is best.

 

 

10. Up on the Housetop

(Benjamin Hanby, 1864)

Up on the housetop reindeer pause
Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down thru the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joysRefrain
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go?
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down thru the chimney with good Saint Nick

First comes the stocking of little Nell
Oh, dear Santa fill it well
Give her a dolly that laughs and cries
One that will open and shut her eyes. Refrain

Look in the stocking of little Will
Oh, just see what a glorious fill!
Here is a hammer and lots of tacks
Whistle and ball and a whip that cracks. Refrain

 

11. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

[Chorus]
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas Eve
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe

[Verse 1]
She’d been drinkin’ too much eggnog
And we’d begged her not to go
But she forgot her medication
And she staggered out the door into the snow
When we found her Christmas mornin’
At the scene of the attack
She had hoof prints on her forehead
And incriminatin’ hoof marks on her back

[Chorus]
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas Eve
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe
(Lord, we believe)

[Verse 2]
Now we’re all so proud of Grandpa
He’s been takin’ this so well
See him in there watchin’ football
Drinkin beer and playin’ cards with cousin Mel
It’s not Christmas without Grandma
All the family’s dressed in black
And we just can’t help but wonder:
Should we open up her gifts or send them back?
(send them back)

[Chorus]
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas Eve
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe
(Lord, we believe)

[Verse 3]
Now the goose is on the table
And the pudding made of fig
And a blue and silver candle
That would have just matched the hair in grandma’s wig
I’ve warned all my friends and neighbors
“Better watch out for yourselves
They should never give a license
To a man who drives a sleigh and plays with elves.”

[Chorus]
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas Eve
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa’s
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe

Sing it, Grandpa!
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas Eve
(Minding her own business)
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa
(What do you mean there’s no Santa?)
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe
Sing it, Grandpa!

[Outro]
Oh
As for me and Grandpa, we believe
(We believe in Santa Claus)

 

12. Here Comes Santa Claus

[Verse 1]
Here comes Santa Claus
Here comes Santa Claus
Right down Santa Claus Lane
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeers pulling on the reins
Bells are ringing, children singing, all is merry and bright
So hang your stockings and say your prayers
‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight

[Verse 2]
Here comes Santa Claus
Here comes Santa Claus
Right down Santa Claus Lane
He’s got a bag that’s filled with toys for boys and girls again
Hear those sleigh bells jingle jangle, oh what a beautiful sight
So jump in bed and cover your head
‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight

[Verse 3]
Here comes Santa Claus
Here comes Santa Claus
Right down Santa Claus Lane
He doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor
He loves you just the same
Santa Claus knows we’re all God’s children
That makes everything right
So fill your hearts with Christmas cheer
‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight

[Verse 4]
Here comes Santa Claus
Here comes Santa Claus
Right down Santa Claus Lane
He’ll come around when chimes ring out that it’s Christmas morn’ again
Peace on Earth will come to all if we just follow the light
So let’s give thanks to the lord above
‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight

[Verse 5]
Here comes Santa Claus
Here comes Santa Claus
Right down Santa Claus Lane
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeers pulling on the reins
Bells are ringing, children singing, all is merry and bright
Hang your stockings and say your prayers
‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight