Jolly Old St. Nicholas
Ames Brothers Lyrics
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Lean your ear this way
Don't you tell a single soul
What I'm going to say
Christmas time is coming soon
Now, you dear old man
Whisper what you'll bring to me
Tell me if you can
Jingle, jingle, tinkle, tinkle
Sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas
And his reindeer don't you know (ho, ho, ho)
Jingle, jingle, jingle, tinkle, tinkle, tinkle
Sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
How I'd like to be with you
On your midnight ride
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer
And Comet by your side
Vixen, Blitzen, Donner too
For your magic sleigh
Cupid will be right along
Jingling all the way
Jingle, jingle, tinkle, tinkle
Sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas
And his reindeer don't you know (ho, ho, ho)
Jingle, jingle, jingle, tinkle, tinkle, tinkle
Sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
Johnny wants a pair of skates
Susy wants a dolly
Nellie wants a story book
She thinks dolls are folly
As for me, my little brain isn't very bright
Choose for me, old Santa Claus
What you think is right
When the clock is striking twelve
When I'm fast asleep
Down the chimney with your pack
You'll softly creep
All the stockings you will find
Hanging in a row
Mine will be the shortest one
You'll be sure to know
Jingle, jingle, tinkle, tinkle
Sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas
And his reindeer don't you know (ho, ho, ho)
Jingle, jingle, jingle, tinkle, tinkle, tinkle
Sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
The Ames Brothers’ classic Christmas song “Jolly Old St. Nicholas” is an ode to the beloved character of Santa Claus. The song begins with an invitation to St. Nick to come closer and share his Christmas plans with the listener. The excitement for Christmas and anticipation of what the holiday brings is prevalent throughout the song, from the playful sound of the jingling sleigh bells to the mention of the reindeer that accompany Santa Claus on his journey throughout the night. The lyrics also create a sense of nostalgia, with the singer longing to be part of Santa’s journey and the mention of various toys that children might ask for as Christmas presents.
Through the lyrics, the song conveys the joy the Christmas season brings, especially to children who eagerly await a visit from Santa Claus. It also touches on the idea that Christmas is not about receiving material gifts but rather the joyous spirit of the holiday season. The simplicity of the melody and repetitive chorus make the song easy to sing along to and perfect for spreading holiday cheer.
Line by Line Meaning
Jolly Old St. Nicholas
The first line of the song, introducing the titular character
Lean your ear this way
Come closer and listen carefully
Don't you tell a single soul
Keep this a secret
What I'm going to say
The upcoming conversation
Christmas time is coming soon
The holiday season is approaching
Now, you dear old man
Referring to Santa Claus in a friendly manner
Whisper what you'll bring to me
Tell me what gifts I can expect
Tell me if you can
If possible, reveal what gifts you'll bring for me
Jingle, jingle, tinkle, tinkle
The sound of the sleigh bells ringing
Sleigh bells in the snow
The bells are ringing in the snowy weather
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas
Referring to Santa Claus
And his reindeer don't you know (ho, ho, ho)
The reindeer are with him, you already knew that!
How I'd like to be with you
Expressing a desire to join Santa Claus on his journey
On your midnight ride
Referring to his famous journey on Christmas Eve
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer
The names of some of Santa's reindeer
And Comet by your side
Another one of Santa's reindeer
Vixen, Blitzen, Donner too
Names of more of Santa's famous reindeer
For your magic sleigh
Referring to Santa's legendary mode of transportation
Cupid will be right along
Another one of Santa's reindeer
Jingling all the way
Making a cheerful sound as they go
Johnny wants a pair of skates
A child making a request for a gift
Susy wants a dolly
Another child requesting a specific gift
Nellie wants a story book
A third child requesting a specific gift
She thinks dolls are folly
Indicating that Nellie does not want a doll
As for me, my little brain isn't very bright
The singer is admitting that they are not sure what gift they want
Choose for me, old Santa Claus
Asking Santa to choose a gift for the singer
What you think is right
Leaving the final decision up to Santa Claus
When the clock is striking twelve
Referring to midnight on Christmas Eve
When I'm fast asleep
The artist will be soundly sleeping at this time
Down the chimney with your pack
Describing how Santa Claus will arrive
You'll softly creep
Santa will move carefully and silently
All the stockings you will find
The artist is expecting stocking stuffers
Hanging in a row
The stockings will be hung for Santa to fill
Mine will be the shortest one
The shortest person's stocking belongs to the artist
You'll be sure to know
Assuring Santa that he will not miss the singer's stocking
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Vaughn Horton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind