Mistletoe and Holly
Frank Sinatra Dean Martin & Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics


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Oh, by gosh, by golly
It's time for mistletoe and holly
Tasty pheasants, Christmas presents
Countrysides covered with snow

Oh, by gosh, by jingle
It's time for carols and Kris Kringle
Overeating, merry greeting
From relatives you don't know

Then comes that big night
Giving the tree the trim
You'll hear voices by starlight
Singing a yuletide hymn

Oh, by gosh, by golly
It's time for mistletoe and holly
Fancy ties an' granny's pies
An' folks stealin' a kiss or two
As they whisper, "Merry Christmas" to you

Then comes that big night
Giving the tree the trim
You'll hear voices by starlight
Singing a Yuletide hymn

Oh, by gosh, by golly
It's time for mistletoe and holly
Fancy ties an' granny's pies




An' folks stealin' a kiss or two
As they whisper, "Merry Christmas" to you

Overall Meaning

"Mistletoe and Holly" by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. is a cheerful Christmas song that describes the joys of the holiday season. The song starts with the arrival of the festive period with mistletoe and holly, followed by the tradition of overeating, gift-giving, and attending carols. The lyrics mention the picturesque countryside scenes covered with snow, displaying the essence of the winter holidays. The song then turns to the excitement of the significant night when the tree gets a trim, accompanied by voices singing celebratory tunes under the starlight.


The song’s chorus is a reminder that the Christmas season calls everyone to unite and share the love, represented by fancy ties and granny's pies. The last verse, with an almost jazzy melody, echoes the sound of people stealing kisses and whispering "Merry Christmas" to each other. "Mistletoe and Holly" is undoubtedly a perfect song for driving away the winter blues, cheering up the family gatherings, and bringing everyone together in the warm spirit of Christmas.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, by gosh, by golly
Wow, it's really that time of year again!


It's time for mistletoe and holly
Time to cozy up and enjoy the holiday festivities


Tasty pheasants, Christmas presents
Delicious food and thoughtful gifts fill the air


Countrysides covered with snow
Nature transforms into a winter wonderland


Oh, by gosh, by jingle
Another exclamation expressing excitement


It's time for carols and Kris Kringle
Time to sing and revel in the spirit of the season, with Santa Claus making his appearance


Overeating, merry greeting
Indulging in delicious food and exchanging cheerful greetings


From relatives you don't know
Meeting and greeting unfamiliar family members during holiday gatherings


Then comes that big night
The anticipation builds up to the night before Christmas


Giving the tree the trim
Decorating the Christmas tree with lights, ornaments, and other trinkets


You'll hear voices by starlight
The peaceful night sky setting the stage for sweet singing


Singing a yuletide hymn
Singing a special song to celebrate the holiday season


Fancy ties an' granny's pies
Looking sharp and enjoying grandma's delicious baking


An' folks stealin' a kiss or two
Exchanging affectionate gestures under the mistletoe


As they whisper, "Merry Christmas" to you
Sharing well wishes and spreading the joy of the holiday season




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DOK STANFORD, FRANK SINATRA, HENRY W. SANICOLA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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