Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Frank Sinatra Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, you know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen,
(Comet, and Cupid, and Donner and Blitzen)
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?

Talkin' 'bout Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows

All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games

Then one foggy Christmas eve
Santa came to say
Rudolph, look here Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?

Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
You'll go down in history

I'm Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
I got a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows, like a rose
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names

They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games

Then one foggy Christmas eve
Santa came to say
(Say Rudolph) I say, I say Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?

Then how the reindeer loved me
As they shouted out with glee
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
You'll go down in history

I'm Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen,




Comet, and Cupid, and Donner, I'm something
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Frank Sinatra & Sammy Davis Jr.'s rendition of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, a beloved Christmas classic, tell the story of Rudolph, a reindeer who was shunned by his peers due to his bright red nose. The song lists all of the other reindeer, including Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen, and notes that Rudolph is the most famous of them all. Despite the ridicule he faced, Rudolph's nose ultimately proved to be an asset when he was called upon by Santa to guide his sleigh on a foggy Christmas Eve. The other reindeer then embraced Rudolph, and he became a hero, going down in history as the beloved red-nosed reindeer.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, you know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen,
Introducing the commonly known reindeer on Santa's sleigh team: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen.


(Comet, and Cupid, and Donner and Blitzen)
Also on the team are Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.


But do you recall
Asking the listener if they remember the most famous reindeer.


The most famous reindeer of all?
Asking the listener if they remember Rudolph, the most famous reindeer.


Talkin' 'bout Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
Introducing the topic of the song, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.


Had a very shiny nose
Describing Rudolph's nose as very shiny.


And if you ever saw it
Suggesting that if someone were to see Rudolph's nose,


You would even say it glows
they might say it glows.


All of the other reindeer
Describing all the other reindeer on the team,


Used to laugh and call him names
stating that they used to make fun of Rudolph and call him names.


They never let poor Rudolph
Implying that Rudolph was excluded,


Join in any reindeer games
And was never allowed to participate in any of the reindeer games.


Then one foggy Christmas eve
Setting the scene for a specific Christmas Eve,


Santa came to say
Suggesting that Santa appeared and said something significant.


Rudolph, look here Rudolph with your nose so bright
Addressing Rudolph by name and complimenting his glowing nose.


Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?
Asking Rudolph to guide Santa's sleigh on this foggy Christmas Eve when visibility is low.


Then how the reindeer loved him
Describing the reaction of the other reindeer to Rudolph's new importance,


As they shouted out with glee
Saying that they shouted with happiness.


Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Describing Rudolph with his new title, 'the red-nosed reindeer'.


You'll go down in history
Suggesting that Rudolph will always be remembered and talked about in the history of Christmas.


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


I got a very shiny nose
Rudolph once again describing his glowing nose as very shiny.


You would even say it glows, like a rose
Suggesting that Rudolph's nose glows, like a rose would in the sunlight.


Then how the reindeer loved me
Rudolph's reaction to the other reindeer now loving him,


As they shouted out with glee
Saying that the other reindeer were still shouting with happiness.


Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Restating Rudolph's new title.


You'll go down in history
Reiterating that Rudolph will be remembered and talked about for years to come.


I'm Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen,
The other reindeer introduce themselves once again.


Comet, and Cupid, and Donner, I'm something
Stating that Comet, Cupid, and Donner are present, but one reindeer's name is forgotten.


Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
The final line of the song, once again restating the main character.




Lyrics © ST. NICHOLAS MUSIC INC., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Johnny Marks

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@ethanschmid4104

I actually like Bing Crosby’s improvising of the notes of this song! It’s just how he does it! I can’t wait for Christmas to come soon!

@jazminbautista1270

Those voces from those times. ❤❤❤❤. Marvelous.

@MegaEvey

The best from Frank and Cosby 🇺🇸💪🙏

@nathanbrice9090

Bing could invent lyrics better than anyone who has ever walked this planet.

@lilyemmalindsay9025

No singers like Bing these days

@lilyemmalindsay9025

I've heard this on a cd

@gloriaortiz1227

Love it but where's Frank?

@Ghost-tq9qj

Ходит на заднем плане)

@Ghost-tq9qj

walking in the background

@conneryspring

クリスマス🎄

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