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A Holly Jolly Christmas
Burl Ives Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning

Have a holly, jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year
I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer
Have a holly, jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet
Oh, ho the mistletoe
Hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me
Have a holly, jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't hear
Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year

(Have a holly, jolly Christmas)
(It's the best time of the year)

Have a holly, jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet
Oh, ho the mistletoe
Hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me
Have a holly, jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't hear
Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year

Overall Meaning

Burl Ives's song, A Holly Jolly Christmas, is a classic holiday song that has become a staple of the season. The lyrics are a happy and joyful call to embrace the holiday spirit and to share it with all those you see. The song's opening line says, "Have a holly, jolly Christmas, it's the best time of the year." This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which encourages people to be happy and merry during the festive season. The song then goes on to say that it doesn't matter if there isn't any snow, as long as there is the cheer of the season.


The second verse encourages people to be friendly and to say hello to friends and strangers alike. The line "Oh, ho the mistletoe hung where you can see, somebody waits for you, kiss her once for me" is particularly charming and romantic, and adds a touch of sweetness to the song. The final verse repeats the message of the first, calling for everyone to have a holly jolly Christmas, and adding the popular exclamation, "Oh by golly!"


A Holly Jolly Christmas has an upbeat tempo that makes it perfect for dancing or singing along. It was written by Johnny Marks, who also wrote other holiday classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. After the song was first recorded by Burl Ives in 1964, it quickly became a hit and has since been covered by many other artists. It is a beloved holiday tune that continues to be played every year and has become an essential part of the holiday season.


Line by Line Meaning

Have a holly, jolly Christmas
Wishing you a happy, festive Christmas season


It's the best time of the year
This time of the year is the most joyful and enjoyable


I don't know if there'll be snow
Uncertain if there will be snow, but that shouldn't stop the Christmas spirit


But have a cup of cheer
Still enjoy the season with a warm drink and a positive attitude


And when you walk down the street
While taking a stroll outside


Say hello to friends you know
Greet your acquaintances cheerfully


And everyone you meet
Extend a friendly gesture to strangers too


Oh, ho the mistletoe
Noting the mistletoe hung above


Hung where you can see
Visible, so make use of it


Somebody waits for you
Someone is anticipating your kiss


Kiss her once for me
A request to share love with someone else’s friend or significant other


And in case you didn't hear
Just in case it was missed


Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas
Again, wishing for a merry Christmas celebration


This year
For this festive season specifically




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, ST. NICHOLAS MUSIC INC., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Johnny Marks

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Alberto Garcia

Have a holly, jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year
I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer
Have a holly, jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet
Oh, ho the mistletoe
Hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me
Have a holly, jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't hear
Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year

(Have a holly, jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year)

Have a holly, jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet
Oh, ho the mistletoe
Hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me
Have a holly, jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't hear
Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year



Ninya / Ninja Brifsanovich the Saiyan

Have a tearful, miserable Christmas!
It's the worst time of the year!
We don't know, if they'll be snow,
have a cup of poison!

Have a tearful, miserable, Christmas!
And when you walk on down the street,
Stick out you're tongue to those you know,
And everyone you meet!

OH, OH, A GREAT, BIG, BOMB!
HUNG WHERE YOU CAN SEE!
Somebody waits for you,
BLOW HER UP FOR ME!

Have a tearful, miserable, Christmas!
And in case you didn't hear,
OH BY-GOLLY HAVE A TEARFUL, MISERABLE, CHRISTMAS, THIS YEAR!

(chorus for the original have a holly jolly plays)

Have a tearful, miserable, Christmas!
It's the worst time of the year!
we don't know, if they'll be snow, Have a cup of poison!

OH, OH, A GREAT, BIG, BOMB!
HUNG WHERE YOU CAN SEE!
Somebody waits for you,
BLOW HER UP FOR MEEEeeeeee!

Have a tearful, miserable, Christmas!
And in case you didn't hear,
OH BY-GOLLY HAVE A TEARFUL, MISERABLE, CHRISTMAS, THIS YEARRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Kirby Abridged)



Jim Cholley

A HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS

Burl Ives Vocal With Chorus And Instrumental Accompaniment

Words & music by
Johnny Marks

Chorus and Orchestra Directed by
Owen Bradley

Produced by
Milt Gabler

Harold Bradley
Guitar

Ray Edenton
Guitar

Thomas "Grady" Martin
Guitar

Bob Moore
String Bass

Buddy Harman
Drums

Hargus "Pig" Robbins
Piano

Charlie McCoy
Harmonica

The Anita Kerr Singers
Backing Vocals

Decca Records
9-31695

Recorded at Columbia Studios in Nashville,
Tennessee on Wednesday, February 5, 1964.



All comments from YouTube:

Christmas Music

🎵Have A Holly Jolly Christmas!🎵

Seth Carlow

yes,have a Holly Jolly Christmas.

beth l.

Yes

Chris Presley

Holly Jolly Christmas indeed 🎄🎁☃️

Mike Maxwell

I just love this song. You can hear the happiness in Burl Ives' voice. Such a great song from times gone by. How I wish that I could return to my childhood and the joy I felt at this time of the year. May God bless each and every one of you. Be happy!

PHAT PUMPZ

Amen and u too

Bob

God Bless

hi world Stephenson ultranate&oq.

hi Gt Comments I Agree 100% my best this Christmas was when i got gt value 12 euros in Charity Shop 30 november Whow beat that oh CHRISTMAS Greetings From Brian Ireland gt lover of d Positives of America!

Rene Brown

The best version...Burl did it best!

AngryRantsAndStuff

Friggin legend

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