Rudolph the red nosed reindeer
Crosby Bing Lyrics

Well, you know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen,
Introducing the other reindeer, who are commonly known.

(Comet, and Cupid, and Donner and Blitzen)
Listing the remaining known reindeer.

But do you recall
Asking the listener if they remember one particular reindeer.

The most famous reindeer of all?
Asking a rhetorical question to imply that the next lyric will reveal who the most famous reindeer is.

Talkin' 'bout Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
Introducing Rudolph as the most famous reindeer.

Had a very shiny nose
Describing Rudolph's most distinguishing feature.

And if you ever saw it
Phrasing a hypothetical about seeing Rudolph's nose.

You would even say it glows
Explaining how bright Rudolph's nose is.

All of the other reindeer
Referring back to the previously established group of reindeer.

Used to laugh and call him names
Describing the treatment Rudolph received from the other reindeer.

They never let poor Rudolph
Explaining that Rudolph was excluded by the other reindeer.

Join in any reindeer games
Specifying the activity from which Rudolph was excluded.

Then one foggy Christmas eve
Setting the scene of a specific moment in time.

Santa came to say
Introducing Santa Claus as a character in the story.

Rudolph, look here Rudolph with your nose so bright
Directly addressing Rudolph and commenting on his brightness.

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?
Asking for Rudolph's help in a specific task.

Then how the reindeer loved him
Describing the change in attitude towards Rudolph after he helped Santa.

And they shouted out with glee
Expressing how excited the other reindeer were.

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Repeating the name of the titular character.

You'll go down in history
Predicting that Rudolph's actions will be remembered.

I'm Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
Rudolph introducing himself.

I got a very shiny nose
Rudolph describing his distinguishing feature.

You would even say it glows, like a rose
Explaining how brightly Rudolph's nose shines.

Then how the other reindeer
Referring to a later point in time after Rudolph's rise to fame.

Used to laugh and call him names
Describing the treatment Rudolph used to receive.

They never let poor Rudolph
Reiterating that Rudolph was excluded from reindeer games.

Join in any reindeer games
Repeating the activity from which Rudolph was excluded.

Then one foggy Christmas eve
Repeating the scene when Santa first spoke to Rudolph.

Santa came to say
Reiterating Santa's introduction.

Say Rudolph, I say, I say Rudolph with your nose so bright
Repeating Santa's request for Rudolph's help.

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?
Reiterating the specific task Santa needs help with.

Then how they loved him
Reiterating the other reindeer's change in attitude towards Rudolph.

As they shouted out with glee
Restating the reindeer's excitement.

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Repeating the established name of the titular character.

You'll go down in history
Reiterating that Rudolph's actions will be remembered long after the story takes place.