You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I'm telling you why (why)
Santa Claus is comin' to town, gather all

He's making a list and checking it twice
He's gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is comin' to town

He sees you when you're sleepin'
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake

You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town

With little tin horns and little toy drums
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Santa Claus is comin' to town
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Santa Claus is comin' to town

The kids in girls and boy land will have a jubilee
They're gonna build a Toyland town all around the Christmas tree
You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town

He sees you when you're sleepin'
And he knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake

You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town

You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin'

You mean, the big fat man with the long white beard
He's comin' to town

Overall Meaning

The song ‘Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town’ is an uplifting holiday classic that tells children that Santa is coming to town to bring toys as long as they are good. The song highlights that Santa is always watching so children need to behave and be good for goodness sake. The song starts with 'you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why (why) Santa Claus is comin' to town' which serves as a warning to all children to be good if they want to receive presents from Santa.

The lyrics go on to explain that Santa 'is making a list and checking it twice, He's gonna find out who's naughty and nice' and that 'He sees you when you're sleepin', He knows when you're awake, He knows if you've been bad or good, So be good for goodness sake'. The song emphasizes that Santa is always watching and taking note of who is bad and who is good. The song conveys that Santa lives a life of goodwill and always wants children to be happy, associating this with toys, candy, and other gifts.

The song also describes the type of toys that Santa will bring for the good kids. 'With little tin horns and little toy drums, Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums, and curly head dolls that toddle and coo, Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too'. Santa is bringing toys for both genders, boys getting little tin horns, little toy drums, rooty toot toots, and rummy tum tums, whilst girls can look forward to receiving curly head dolls that toddle and coo, elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too.

Line by Line Meaning

You better watch out, you better not cry
Don't misbehave or cry, because Santa Claus is coming to town

You better not pout, I'm telling you why (why)
You shouldn't sulk or be angry, because I'm telling you the reason - Santa Claus is coming

Santa Claus is comin' to town, gather all
Everyone should get ready because Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list and checking it twice
Santa Claus is making a list of who's been good and who's been bad, and he's checking it twice

He's gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus will determine if you've been good or bad

Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you're sleepin'
Santa Claus can see you even when you're asleep

He knows when you're awake
Santa Claus knows when you're awake

He knows if you've been bad or good
Santa Claus knows if you've been bad or good

So be good for goodness sake
Be good just because it's the right thing to do

With little tin horns and little toy drums
There will be toys like tin horns and toy drums

Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
There will be toys that make funny sounds

And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
There will be dolls with curly hair that walk and make baby noises

Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
There will be toys like elephants, boats, and cars for children

Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

The kids in girls and boy land will have a jubilee
Children will be very happy and excited in Boys' and Girls' Land

They're gonna build a Toyland town all around the Christmas tree
Children will build a town made of toys around the Christmas tree

You better watch out
You should be careful and attentive

You better not cry
You shouldn't cry or be upset

You better not pout
You shouldn't pout or be sulky

I'm telling you why
I'm letting you know the reason

Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

And he knows when you're awake
Santa Claus knows when you're awake

And he knows if you've been bad or good
Santa Claus knows if you've been bad or good

So be good for goodness sake
Be good just because it's the right thing to do

You better watch out
You should be careful and attentive

You better not cry
You shouldn't cry or be upset

You better not pout
You shouldn't pout or be sulky

I'm telling you why
I'm letting you know the reason

Santa Claus is comin'
Santa Claus is coming

You mean, the big fat man with the long white beard
Are you talking about Santa Claus, the large man with a long white beard?

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Coots, Haven Gillespie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@patriciaclark4773

1y↑21

Christmas just isn't Christmas without hearing Bing Crosby singing Santa Claus Is Coming To Town and White Christmas! Two of my all time favorite Christmas songs!

@BreakingAllIllusions

1y↑5

Christmas isn't complete without Bing Crosby and I am not even a Christian 😅 I just LOVE celebrating Christmas since I was a little kid and now I am 41 🎄🦌⛄🦌🎄