Perhaps best known for his distinct yodelling, he charted more than seventy singles on the Billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980, including the Number One hits 'I'm Movin' On' and 'I Don't Hurt Anymore'. Performing in lavish and colourful sequin-studded suits, Snow had a career covering six decades during which he sold more than 80 million albums, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1979.
THERE IS A HANK SNOW MUSEUM CLOSE TO BROOKLYN IN LIVERPOOL, NOVA SCOTIA, APPROPRIATELY, IT IS HOUSED IN AN ABANDONED TRAIN STATION. VERY WELL DONE
I reckon Hank Snow was better known for his distinctive self taught guitar style. Hank was influenced by the famous Rail road blues singer Jimmie Rodgers and though Hank did copy Rodgers style in his early days, including the "blue yodel" he later abandoned this and developed his own gritty style of singing. His guitar playing was so good he once cut a duet album of guitar music with the late Chet Atkins, master country Guitarist and music producer for RCA Victor. Hank was with RCA Victor label for almost 50 years and towards the end of his waning career RCA dropped him, just before he would have celebrated his half century with that label-always thought that was a bit mean of them.. Hank Snow and his Rainbow ranch boys, with Chubby Hayes on fiddle gave really great live concerts and the singing and playing they did was superlative and sounded as good as, if not equal to their recorded works.
The Reindeer Boogie
Hank Snow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Open the windows of his little shack and shouted oh dasher and dancer
Vixen and blitzen come on here were gonna get a goin' and spread some cheer
So limber your legs and sharpen your hooves
Cause tonight is the night were gonna jump on the roof
So the reindeer they were so proud and grand to take another trip all over the land
They jumped right into their proper place to get hepped up for that midnight race
Ol' Santa he shook off the ice and snow boarded his sleigh and then yelled let's go
A little piano then started to play ol' Santa began to swing and sway
Thought he heard a toy drum starting to beat
But he found it was just the rhythm of the reindeer feet
The reindeer boogied in the middle of the road tonight we have a mighty big load
Don't boogie to the left now boogie to the right
Do the reindeer boogie this Christmas eve night
The reindeer boogied...
The Reindeer Boogie by Hank Snow is a festive, upbeat, and joyful song that tells the story of Santa gathering his reindeer for the Christmas Eve ride. The first verse begins with Santa having a small snack and a cup of coffee before heading out to load his sack onto his back. He opens the windows of his cabin, yells out the names of the reindeer, and tells them to limber up their legs and sharpen their hooves because it’s time to get going and spread some cheer. The second verse describes how the reindeer are proud and happy to be taking another trip all over the land. They jump into their proper places, and Santa shakes off the ice and snow before boarding his sleigh and shouting, “Let’s go!” All the while, all the little toys in the sack are happy too, and ol' Santa himself begins to sway and swing as he hears a rhythm start to form.
The final verse culminates in an image of a huge load that the reindeer have to haul, but they do it with great joy, and everyone starts to boogie in the middle of the road. Santa shouts out instructions to boogie left and then right, and the reindeer go along with the fun, as they dance the night away. Throughout the song, the imagery of Christmas is put forth with clarity and beauty: Santa, his reindeer, a packed sack of toys, and festive cheer. The lyrics are playful, engaging, and definitely put listeners in the mood for the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Santa had a cup of coffee and he ate a little snack through his pack right over his back
Santa had some refreshments while he put on his backpack.
Open the windows of his little shack and shouted oh dasher and dancer
Santa opened his window and called for his two reindeer.
Vixen and blitzen come on here were gonna get a goin' and spread some cheer
Santa called for the rest of his reindeer and encouraged them to spread Christmas cheer.
So limber your legs and sharpen your hooves
Santa told the reindeer to stretch and prepare for their journey.
Cause tonight is the night were gonna jump on the roof
Santa and his reindeer are going to make their famous journey to deliver presents.
So the reindeer they were so proud and grand to take another trip all over the land
The reindeer were proud to be chosen for Santa's journey across the world.
They jumped right into their proper place to get hepped up for that midnight race
The reindeer eagerly took their places and prepared to race across the sky.
Ol' Santa he shook off the ice and snow boarded his sleigh and then yelled let's go
Santa removed ice and snow from his sleigh and cheerfully shouted for the journey to begin.
All the little toys were happy too cause they were so bright and new
The toys were happy to be included in the gift-giving journey and were shiny and new.
A little piano then started to play ol' Santa began to swing and sway
Santa enjoyed the music and began to dance.
Thought he heard a toy drum starting to beat
Santa believed he heard a toy drum playing along with the reindeer's footsteps.
But he found it was just the rhythm of the reindeer feet
Santa realized that the drum sound was actually the hoofbeats of his reindeer.
The reindeer boogied in the middle of the road tonight we have a mighty big load
The reindeer danced as they journeyed to deliver a large amount of presents.
Don't boogie to the left now boogie to the right
Santa instructed the reindeer to move to the right while they danced.
Do the reindeer boogie this Christmas eve night
Santa and his reindeer danced on Christmas Eve as they made their gift-giving journey.
The reindeer boogied...
The reindeer danced joyfully and energetically as they carried out their important task.
Lyrics © ERNEST TUBB MUSIC, INC.
Written by: CORDIA VOLKMAR, HANK SNOW, PEANUT FAIRCLOTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
miomistero
My dad, Charlie Faircloth, wrote this song, along with many other country, bluegrass, and novelty songs over a long music career. He died last March at age 82. It's bittersweet to hear it again as we approach our first Christmas without him. Thanks for posting it.
Kenny Dobbins
I'm sorry for your loss.
Patty Collier
thanks for sharing that story and your father merry Christmas and bless you and yours
Joshua Campbell
Sorry for your lost 🙏😥💔
Mal Ferguson
This is such a good song. Your dad is still making people happy.
Nunya Bidness
What a kind thing to say. Thank you!
Jo S.
I love this man... Not only his voice, but he can pick that guitar...!!!!!!!!!!!! You rock, Hank..!!!!!!!
William Curry
I am a Christmas Music Lover. I am sadly amazed that this wonderfully fun and lively song has been hidden from me and I am sure many others. I pray that this song will not be hidden under a bushel anymore.
orollins61
Love it! I grew up in a house which sported MANY of Hank Snow's recordings! Thank you & Merry Christmas!
Michael Reece
Hank Snow brilliant as always! Love this! He later re-recorded for his 1967 Christmas album.