Ives began his career as an itinerant singer and guitarist, eventually launching his own radio show, The Wayfaring Stranger, which popularized traditional folk songs. In 1942, he appeared in Irving Berlin's This Is the Army and became a major star of CBS Radio. In the 1960s, he successfully crossed over into country music, recording hits such as "A Little Bitty Tear" and "Funny Way of Laughin'". Ives was also a popular film actor through the late 1940s and '50s. His film roles included parts in So Dear to My Heart (1948) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), as well as the role of Rufus Hannassey in The Big Country (1958), for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Ives is often associated with the Christmas season. He did voice-over work as Sam the Snowman, narrator of the classic 1964 Christmas television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Ives also worked on the special's soundtrack, including the songs "A Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", both of which continue to chart annually on the Billboard holiday charts into the 2020s.
Snow For Johnny
Burl Ives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some snow for Johnny
He wants to build
A big snowman
It was a week just before Christmas
Way down in Louisiana
A little boy was kneeling by his bed
I listened as he said his prayers
His voice came soft and low
He said, "God tell Saint Nicholas
To send a little snow"
Please send some snow
Some snow for Johnny
He wants to build
A big snowman
I'd like to build a snowman
Like the other children do
I've got an old top hat and a walking cane
Got a big long cigar too
Yes, everything is ready
And I'm all set to go
How can I build a snowman
When I haven't any snow
Please send some snow
Some snow for Johnny
He wants to build
A big snowman
Now, early Christmas morning
Much to his surprise
Snowflakes by the million
Were falling from the skies
Down the stairs and out-of-doors
As fast as he could go
So happy that Saint Nicholas
Had sent a little snow
Thanks for the snow
The snow for Johnny
Now he can build
A big snowman
Thanks for the snow
The snow for Johnny
Now he can build
A big snowman
Thanks for the snow
The snow for Johnny
Now he can build
A big snowman
The song "Snow Fox Johnny" by Burl Ives is a heartwarming tale of a young boy named Johnny who lives in Louisiana and is eagerly awaiting a snowy Christmas Day. As the song begins, Johnny kneels by his bed and says his prayers, asking God to tell Saint Nicholas to send a little snow. He wants to build a big snowman, just like the other children do. However, he doesn't have any snow yet to make his snowman.
On Christmas morning, much to his surprise, Johnny wakes up to find that Saint Nicholas had indeed sent a little snow - actually, snowflakes by the million were falling from the sky! Johnny rushes outside, full of excitement and happiness, to build his big snowman. The song ends on a joyful note, with Johnny grateful for the snow and able to create the snowman he had been dreaming of.
Overall, the song portrays the innocent joy and excitement of a child during Christmastime, and the power of faith and prayer to make wishes come true. It also highlights the importance of gratitude for the blessings we receive.
Line by Line Meaning
Please send some snow
The little boy named Johnny wants to experience the joy of building a big snowman, but unfortunately there is no snow where he lives
Some snow for Johnny
Johnny is eagerly waiting for Saint Nicholas or God to grant him his wish of sending some snow for him
He wants to build
Johnny has a strong desire to build a big snowman with the snow, as he has all the necessary objects for the same
A big snowman
Johnny has a dream of creating a huge snowman using the abundant snow that he yearns for
It was a week just before Christmas
The story took place a week before Christmas, when people around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ
Way down in Louisiana
The setting of the story is in Louisiana, a state in the southern region of the United States
A little boy was kneeling by his bed
Johnny was praying to God for his wish of experiencing snow to come true, in a respectful and hopeful way
In a manner poised and grand
Johnny's behavior while praying was dignified and graceful, as he was requesting something he truly craved for
I listened as he said his prayers
The artist was listening to Johnny's heartfelt prayers, and felt touched by his innocent wish
His voice came soft and low
Johnny spoke kindly and humbly while praying, expressing his genuine desire for snow to build a snowman
Yes, everything is ready
Johnny has all the necessary tools - a top hat, a walking cane, and a cigar - to make his dream snowman
And I'm all set to go
Johnny is excited and anticipating the arrival of snow to commence building his snowman
How can I build a snowman
Johnny is disappointed and pessimistic as he has not received any snow after requesting for it in his prayers
When I haven't any snow
Johnny does not have any snow and feels hopeless about his desire to build a snowman
Now, early Christmas morning
Johnny woke up on Christmas morning, and was pleasantly surprised to find snow falling from the skies
Much to his surprise
Johnny was shocked and overwhelmed to see his wish fulfilled with the snow that appeared suddenly
Snowflakes by the million
Johnny saw a plethora of snowflakes falling from the sky in large numbers
Were falling from the skies
Johnny witnessed snowfall, that he had been praying for, coming down from the heavens
Down the stairs and out-of-doors
Johnny runs outside his house, ecstatic to see snow outside and ready to build his dream snowman
As fast as he could go
Johnny is in a hurry to collect the snow and start building his snowman with the objects that he had gathered earlier
So happy that Saint Nicholas
Johnny feels grateful towards Saint Nicholas for fulfilling his dream of experiencing snow on Christmas day
Had sent a little snow
Johnny acknowledges Saint Nicholas as the sender of the snow, that has granted him immense happiness and joy
Thanks for the snow
Johnny expresses his gratitude and happiness for finally getting his wish of experiencing snow and building a snowman
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mike milks
had this album as a kid, one of my favorites
MrJamieMurph4141969
I have it myself, on cassette; it includes Holly Jolly Xmas and Rudolph the red nosed reindeer as well(not the rendition from the special).
Nora Kelly
Just love burl Ives any all music. Christmas isn't Christmas without burl ives
Helena Jordan
Love this song. I grew up listening to this christmas album, when they made the cd version, they left this song out.
Helena Jordan
:D
SixtiesOnly
@Helena Jordan I wonder why they left it off the CD,it's a nice little song...I'm pleased you've enjoyed hearing it again,many thanks :-))
Fusco LW Magiere
Thank you for this. the lyrics are a good add.
Fusco LW Magiere
Also shared. Most definitely.
SixtiesOnly
+Fusco LW (Laura)...Thanks very much,I'm pleased that you enjoyed it.Hope you were singing along too !
Susan Doney
I really enjoy snow for johnny