The song was re-recorded by Ives and released in 1964 as a single and later featured the following year in his 1965 holiday album, Have a Holly Jolly Christmas. This version of the song has a somewhat slower arrangement than the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer version and features a twelve-string guitar solo introduction; it is this version that has since become the more commonly heard rendition on radio. This song mentions mistletoe in the bridge, where the singer asks the younger lover to "Kiss her once for me". The song features a mixed-gender chorus, whose repeated "Ding-dong" imitation of Christmas bells are heard in the outro of the song, before it fades out.
The song's enduring popularity is evidenced by its reaching No. 30 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in 1998, as well as No. 21 on the US Country Digital Songs chart and No. 5 on the Holiday 100 chart in 2011. The song charted on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time in 2017, after rules on chart eligibility for older songs had been relaxed several years before, and reached a peak of No. 38.
On the week ending December 8, 2018, the song re-entered the Hot 100 chart. It reached No. 10 on the week ending January 5, 2019. On the week ending January 4, 2020, it reached a new peak of No. 4. With this feat, Ives now holds the record for the longest break between Hot 100 Top Tens as he returned to this minimum ranking after 56 years, seven months and two weeks since his previous Top 10 hit and, at 109 years after birth, surpassing Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" (which reached the Top 40 when Armstrong would have been 86 years old) as the oldest artist, living or deceased, to have a Top 40 hit. As of December 2019, Burl Ives' recording has sold 664,000 copies in the United States since becoming available for download in the digital era.
A Holly Jolly Christmas
Burl Ives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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 elseโs 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 ยฉ ST. NICHOLAS MUSIC INC., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Johnny Marks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AlbertoGarcia-pi5vt
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
@ChristmasMusicChannel
๐ตHave A Holly Jolly Christmas!๐ต
@sethcarlow8363
yes,have a Holly Jolly Christmas.
@bethl.1892
Yes
@ChristopherLee3247
Holly Jolly Christmas indeed ๐๐โ๏ธ
@djwolf7392
No
@djwolf7392
๐งข
@jackbest6677
Burl Ives is classic. No one can sing this song like him.๐โค
@MikeMaxwell1961
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!
@phatpumpz6499
Amen and u too
@hiworldstephensonultranate290
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!