Up on the Housetop
Dartmouth Aires (Holiday) Lyrics
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Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't go?
Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
First comes the stocking of little Nell
Oh, dear Santa fill it well
Give her a dolly that laughs, that cries
One that will open and shut its eyes
Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't go?
Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick
Oh, then comes the stocking of little Will
Oh, just see what a glorious fill
Here is a hammer and lots of tacks
Also a ball and a whip that cracks
Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't go?
Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick
Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't go?
Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick
Up on the housetop
Said, up on the housetop
Said, oh, oh, oh
This classic Christmas song, "Up on the Housetop," describes the arrival of Santa Claus to bring Christmas joy to children around the world. The lyrics begin with the description of Santa's reindeer pausing on top of a roof while Santa jumps out and goes down the chimney with lots of toys to deliver to the little ones. The chorus of "Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't go?" encourages everyone to join in on the excitement of Christmas and to follow Santa's journey. The first two verses address two children, Little Nell and Little Will, and what they would like as Christmas gifts. Little Nell wants a dolly that can laugh and cry and has eyes that open and shut whereas Little Will's desires include a hammer, lots of tacks, a ball, and a whip that cracks.
The lyrics of "Up on the Housetop" evoke the magical spirit of Christmas and the excitement of children waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. The song's cheerful melody captures the festive mood of the season, while its lyrics express the joy of giving and receiving gifts. The song also highlights the tradition of hanging stockings on the fireplace for Santa to fill. The repetition of the refrain adds to the playful and whimsical nature of the song and encourages everyone to join in the Christmas cheer.
Line by Line Meaning
Up on the housetop reindeer pause
The reindeer take a break while on the rooftop
Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Santa Claus jumps out to deliver presents
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
Santa descends through the chimney with many gifts
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
The toys are for children to enjoy during Christmas
Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't go?
Santa is asking who wouldn't want to go with him
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
The sound of reindeer hooves on the roof
Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick
Santa comes down the chimney
First comes the stocking of little Nell
Santa starts with Nell's stocking
Oh, dear Santa fill it well
Fill Nell's stocking with lots of gifts
Give her a dolly that laughs, that cries
Nell wants a doll that can laugh and cry
One that will open and shut its eyes
Nell's doll should be able to open and close its eyes too
Oh, then comes the stocking of little Will
Next is Will's stocking
Oh, just see what a glorious fill
Will has a lot of presents in his stocking
Here is a hammer and lots of tacks
Will gets a hammer and a lot of tacks
Also a ball and a whip that cracks
Will also receives a ball and a whip that makes a loud noise
Up on the housetop
The location where Santa is delivering presents
Said, up on the housetop
Repeating the previous line
Said, oh, oh, oh
Exclamation of joy and excitement
Contributed by Anna D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.