Christmas Song
Diana Krall & The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra Lyrics


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Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two




Although it's been said many times many ways
Merry Christmas to you

Overall Meaning

The Christmas Song is a classic holiday tune that has been covered by countless artists over the years, but the Diana Krall version, featuring the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, is especially notable for its soulful and jazzy interpretation. The opening lines set the scene of a cozy winter evening, with chestnuts roasting on an open fire and Jack Frost nipping at your nose. The lyrics paint a nostalgic and romantic picture of the holiday season, complete with yule-tide carols sung by a choir and folks dressed in warm and festive attire, like Eskimos. The song acknowledges the traditional symbols of Christmas, such as the turkey and the mistletoe, but also highlights the magic of the season through the eyes of children, who are eager for Santa Claus to arrive with toys and gifts.


The song's message is one of simple but genuine warmth and love, expressed through the repeated refrain of "Merry Christmas to you." The lyrics offer a universal message of holiday cheer, extending from kids to seniors, from those who have Christmas traditions to those who don't, and from those who celebrate for religious or secular reasons. The song has endured for decades and its message still resonates with audiences today, as it encapsulates the spirit of the holiday season in a timeless way.


Line by Line Meaning

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
The image of a cozy fire with chestnuts roasting on it represents the warm and joyful feeling of Christmas.


Jack Frost nipping at your nose
The cold and frosty weather of winter is a signature of the holiday season, despite its harshness on the skin.


Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
Christmas is around when you start hearing the carols sung, a special tradition that signifies the passing of a year, and the beginning of a new one filled with hope for good fortune.


And folks dressed up like Eskimos
The festive clothing worn by people highlights the cultural diversity of the holiday season, with people wearing garments inspired by various regions of the world.


Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Festivities will not be complete without traditional holiday meals such as the turkey, and decorations like the mistletoe which inspire love and affection.


Help to make the season bright
These traditional symbols and practices come together to create a festive atmosphere that brings joy and cheer to people's hearts.


Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Children have an innocent and sweet anticipation of Christmas and the arrival of Santa Claus, and their joy is contagious.


Will find it hard to sleep tonight
The excitement and anticipation of these children can cause restlessness and difficulty in settling down for the night.


They know that Santa's on his way
The timeless tale of Santa Claus delivering presents to the good children of the world is ingrained in every child’s mind.


He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
Children imagine Santa's sleigh is piled high with toys and goodies for them, and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is largely driven by the joy of spreading happiness to others.


And every mother's child is gonna spy
Children cannot help but be curious about Christmas and try to capture glimpses of what goes on during the night before Christmas.


To see if reindeer really know how to fly
The magical idea of Santa's flying reindeer is just another part of the enchantment of Christmas for children.


And so I'm offering this simple phrase
The simplicity of the phrase underscores the universality of this expression of goodwill.


To kids from one to ninety-two
The sentiment and well-wishing towards others is timeless and universal, and meant for people of all ages and walks of life.


Although it's been said many times many ways
The saying may not be original or new, but it retains its powerful meaning and relevance to the season.


Merry Christmas to you
Wishing everyone a festive and happy Christmas is a tradition that brings people closer to one another and strengthens the ties of community and fellowship.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd
Written by: MEL TORME, ROBERT WELLS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Miry Lakatos

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh,
O'er the fields we go,
Laughing all the way.
Bells on bob-tails ring,
Making spirits bright.
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight, oh!
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way.
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh, hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way.
Oh what fun it is to ride,
In a one-horse open sleigh.
Now the ground is white,
Go it while you're young.
Take the girls tonight,
Sing this sleighing song.
Get a bobtailed bay,
Two forty for his speed,
And hitch him to an open sleigh,
And you will take the lead.



All comments from YouTube:

Monique D'Agorne

Fantastic Jazz version. My favorite one!

Marcos Sansone

Fabulous Diana!! Great arrangement!!

Carmen Andres

This is fantastic, go girl. You rock and always will.

Robert Gage

What a fabulous big band and arrangement...WOW

Jazziz Café

Espectacular, así es como suena Diana Krall (@DianaKrall) junto a The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (@JohnClaytonbass) en esta versión de "Jingle Bells" para el álbum "Christmas Songs" de la cantante que se editó en 2005. Y que abrió justamente con este tema compuesto a finales de 1857 por James Pierpont que originalmente llamo "The One Horse Open Sleigh". #FelizNavidad #BigBand

Chris Owens

Ms. Diania is SO jazzy!! I love her take in jingle bells!! what a arrangment!! I can not wait to her in concert!! what a voice and piano!! and the band!!!! wow ah uh

Robert Gage

What a fabulous arrangement.....and well done

Joelingo Joelingo

Stunning talent, beautiful and humble. Years ago when she was in Halifax for the ECMA’s she was waiting at the light and I walked by. Absolute highlight of my life.

D RadarMan

This presentation is pure class. I love it.

Graham respekt

Love it, Diana is just Amazing, what a Lovely Voice, I've always been a Massive fan......

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