Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
[Disney] Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way
Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I called on dear old Santa Claus
To see what I could see
He took me to his workshop
And told his plans to me, so

[Chorus]

You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
He's making a list and checking it twice
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 a wake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake
Oh! You better watch out, you better not cry
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
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
So! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town

Now Santa is a busy man, He has no time to play
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
You'd better write your letter now
And mail it right away
Because he's getting ready
His reindeer's and his sleigh. So

[Chorus]

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
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
So! You better watch out, you better not cry

Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" tell the story of the singer's visit to the North Pole to spend a holiday with Santa Claus. The singer describes how they called on Santa and were invited into his workshop. Santa then shares his plans with the singer, setting the stage for the central theme of the song.

The chorus of the song serves as a warning to children to be on their best behavior because Santa Claus is coming to town. The lyrics reinforce the belief that Santa is always watching, knowing who is naughty or nice. The repetition of the line "You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why/Santa Claus is comin' to town" serves as a reminder to children that their actions have consequences, and they should strive to be good for the sake of goodness itself.

The second verse of the song describes the joyous atmosphere that Santa's arrival brings. Children in "Girl and Boy land" (representing all children) are depicted as celebrating the upcoming festivities. The lyrics mention the toys and gifts that Santa will bring, including tin horns, toy drums, curly head dolls, elephants, boats, and kiddie cars. The anticipation of Santa's visit and the creation of a Toyland around the Christmas tree add to the excitement and magic of the holiday season.

The final verse emphasizes the busy nature of Santa's job. He is portrayed as having no time to play because he has millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day. The lyrics encourage children to write their letters to Santa and mail them immediately to ensure their wishes are received in time. The mention of Santa preparing his reindeer and his sleigh highlights the meticulousness and urgency of his preparations before embarking on his journey to deliver presents.

In summary, "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" conveys the anticipation, excitement, and moral lesson associated with the arrival of Santa Claus during Christmas time.

Line by Line Meaning

I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way
I recently returned from a delightful journey through the galaxy

Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
Made a brief visit to the North Pole for a vacation

I called on dear old Santa Claus, to see what I could see
I visited Santa Claus to discover what he was up to

He took me to his workshop and told his plans to me, so
He brought me to his workshop and shared his intentions with me

[Chorus]
Refrain

You better watch out, you better not cry
You should be cautious and avoid crying

Better not pout, I'm telling you why
It's best not to sulk, let me explain why

Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus will soon arrive in our town

He's making a list and checking it twice
He is creating a list and reviewing it carefully

Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Determined to discover who has been mischievous and well-behaved

Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus will soon arrive in our town

He sees you when you're sleepin'
He observes you while you are sleeping

He knows when you're awake
He is aware of your wakefulness

He knows if you've been bad or good
He is aware of your deeds, whether they are naughty or nice

So be good for goodness sake
Therefore, strive to be virtuous solely for the sake of goodness

Oh! You better watch out, you better not cry
Oh! Be vigilant, avoid weeping

Better not pout, I'm telling you why
It's best not to sulk, let me explain why

Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus will soon arrive in our town

With little tin horns and little toy drums
Accompanied by small tin horns and toy drums

Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Playful sounds of rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums

Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus will soon arrive in our town

And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
As well as dolls with curly hair that walk unsteadily and make soothing sounds

Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Additionally, elephants, boats, and toy cars for children

Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus will soon arrive in our town

Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
Subsequently, children in the land of both girls and boys will joyfully celebrate

They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
They will construct a magical Toyland encircling the Christmas tree

So! You better watch out, you better not cry
So, you must be vigilant and avoid crying

Better not pout, I'm telling you why
It's best not to sulk, let me explain why

Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus will soon arrive in our town

Now Santa is a busy man, he has no time to play
Currently, Santa Claus is occupied and lacks leisure time

He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
He has an immense number of stockings to fill on Christmas day

You'd better write your letter now
It would be wise to write your letter immediately

And mail it right away
Then swiftly send it through the mail

Because he's getting ready
Because he is preparing

His reindeer's and his sleigh. So
His reindeer and his sleigh. Consequently