Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
Frank Sinatra & Axel Stordahl Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list
And checking it twice
He's gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake

Oh, you better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

Say, you better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list
And he's checking it twice
He's gonna find out who's been naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake

Oh, you better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout




I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Frank Sinatra's "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" describe the singer's visit to the North Pole to see Santa Claus. The song takes listeners on a journey to Santa's workshop where he shares his plans for the upcoming holiday season. The message of the song is clear: children should be on their best behavior because Santa Claus will be coming soon to deliver gifts to those who have been nice. The lyrics are filled with magical images of Christmas, such as little tin horns, rooty toot toots, elephants, boats, and curly head dolls that toddle and coo.


However, beyond the joy of Christmas, the song also carries a warning to children about the need to behave well. It emphasizes the message that Santa Claus will only come to those who have been "good for goodness sake" and will "find out who's naughty and nice." The song serves as a reminder that the holiday season is not just about receiving gifts, but also about being kind, respectful, and well-behaved.


Line by Line Meaning

I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way
I recently returned from a delightful voyage through the galaxy.


Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I made a brief stopover in the North Pole for some rest and relaxation.


I called on dear old Santa Claus
I visited the venerable Santa Claus.


To see what I could see
I sought to observe my surroundings.


He took me to his workshop
He escorted me to his workplace.


And told his plans to me, so
He shared his intentions with me.


You better watch out, you better not cry
It would behoove you to be cautious and refrain from shedding tears.


Better not pout, I'm telling you why
You should not express petulant discontent, and I will explain why.


Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa Claus is about to arrive in this location.


He's making a list and checking it twice
Santa Claus is composing a roster of recipients and reviewing it meticulously.


Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
He will discern which individuals have behaved poorly and which have acted virtuously.


He sees you when you're sleepin'
He observes you while you are slumbering.


He knows when you're awake
He is aware of your consciousness.


He knows if you've been bad or good
He comprehends whether you have acted wickedly or benevolently.


So be good for goodness sake
Therefore, exhibit commendable conduct for its own sake.


With little tin horns and little toy drums
Accompanied by diminutive brass instruments and percussion playthings,


Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
the sound of rambunctious horns and drums shall be heard.


And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Additionally, there will be charming dolls with curly tresses, that waddle and murmur pleasantly.


Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Also included will be toy pachyderms, vessels, and miniature automobiles.


Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
Youngsters dwelling in territories designated for females and males will experience festive elation.


They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
They will erect a paradise of playthings encircling the yuletide conifer.


Now Santa is a busy man, He has no time to play
Santa Claus is a busy individual and cannot engage in recreation.


He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
He has an abundance of stockings to stuff on the day of Christmas.


You'd better write your letter now
You should pen your correspondence promptly.


And mail it right away
And dispatch it expeditiously.


Because he's getting ready
He is preparing.


His reindeer's and his sleigh. So
In order to utilize his deer and conveyance. Therefore,




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Coots, Haven Gillespie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions