Boyd recorded the song "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" for Columbia Records, when he was 13. It became a hit, selling over two and a half million records in its first week's release and Boyd's name became known internationally. Columbia Records executives were baffled at the song's popularity. They had already presented Boyd with two gold records. Boyd's record went to #1 on the charts again the following year at Christmas, and continues to sell as a Christmas song. It has reportedly sold more than sixty million copies since its initial release.
Boyd owned horses, so Columbia presented him with a silver mounted saddle. Inscribed in the silver plate on the back of the saddle were the words, "Presented by Columbia Records to Jimmy Boyd commemorating his 3,000,000 record of 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus'".
When first released, Boyd's record was banned in Boston by the Roman Catholic Church on the grounds it mixed sex with Christmas. Boyd made worldwide news when he went to Boston and met with the leaders of the Church to explain the song. The following Christmas the ban was lifted.
Boyd recorded several more hit records: teaming up with Frankie Laine in the spring of 1953 on "Tell Me a Story" (written by Terry Gilkyson), which reached #4, and "The Little Boy And The Old Man" (#24), and with Rosemary Clooney that summer on "Dennis the Menace," which reached #25.
Tell Me a Story
Jimmy Boyd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me a story remember what you said
You promised me you said you would
You gotta give in so I'll be good
Tell me a story then I'll go to bed
Oh worry worry weary ends ma day
Comes the time to go home
Home by the fire where a man can just relax
Slippers there by the chair
Not a worry not a care
Along comes junior swinging his little axe
Tell me a story tell me a story
Tell me a story remember what you said
Tell me about the birds and bees
How do you make a chicken sneeze
Tell me a story then I'll go to bed
Came so late one evening last July
Played a little the poker the time had passed me by
Shoes in my hand and my darlin' wife in bed
Up the stairs sayin' a prayer
Then a voice comes through the air
Hi there daddy remember what you said
Tell me a story tell me a story
Tell me how your eyes are glassed
Because it's only if your bad
Tell me a story then I'll go to bed
Once a upon a time I remember long ago
Don't go back in years through your memories kinda slow
Stop your noisy talkin' till I've finished with ma tale
Once upon
Upon a what
Upon your back you'll get a swat
Tell me about the fishy cause it's bigger than a whale
Tell me a story tell me a story
Tell me a story remember what you said
You promised me you said you would
You gotta give so I'll be good
Here's a tale you'll never forget
Whack whack whack
Ouch ma tails all red
And now get off to bed
Aw come on daddy tell me a story hee hee
The song "Tell Me a Story" by Jimmy Boyd is a nostalgic track that highlights the desire of a child to hear a story before going to bed. The lyrics of the song are divided into three verses, each describing a scenario where the child asks for a story before going to bed. The lyrics are set in a simple and repetitive tone, reminiscent of the early 1950s pop music.
The first verse of the song describes a child's desire to hear a story before going to bed. The child reminds the adult of their promise to tell a story, and in return, the child will be good. The second verse describes the father's return home after work, and his son's request for a story. The final verse describes the child's desire for a story, even when the father is tired and just wants to rest.
The song is a snapshot of the simpler times of the 1950s and the nostalgic tone of the lyrics makes it a classic. The song is also a reflection of the importance of storytelling, even in modern times. It reminds us that storytelling is a fundamental part of our culture and serves as a way to pass down traditions and morals from generation to generation.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me a story tell me a story
Asking for a story to be told.
Tell me a story remember what you said
Reminding the storyteller of a promise to tell a story.
You promised me you said you would
Emphasizing that a promise was made to tell a story.
You gotta give in so I'll be good
Implying that the storyteller should tell a story in exchange for good behavior.
Tell me a story then I'll go to bed
Linking storytime with bedtime.
Oh worry worry weary ends ma day
Expressing exhaustion and weariness at the end of the day.
Comes the time to go home
Noting the end of the workday and transition to relaxing at home.
Without ma raise in pay
Acknowledging a lack of financial reward for hard work.
Home by the fire where a man can just relax
Enjoying the comfort of home and warmth of a fire.
Slippers there by the chair
Suggesting a relaxed and comfortable home environment.
Not a worry not a care
Expressing contentment and peace of mind.
Along comes junior swinging his little axe
Introducing a potentially mischievous child into the scene.
Tell me about the birds and bees
Asking for an explanation of sex education.
How do you make a chicken sneeze
Asking for a somewhat nonsensical and humorous story.
Came so late one evening last July
Recalling a specific event that occurred in the past.
Played a little the poker the time had passed me by
Describing a leisure activity and time going by quickly.
Shoes in my hand and my darlin' wife in bed
Painting a picture of returning home to one's spouse.
Up the stairs sayin' a prayer
Indicating a nightly routine or habit.
Then a voice comes through the air
Adding a supernatural element to the story.
Hi there daddy remember what you said
Reminding the storyteller of a promise previously made.
Tell me how your eyes are glassed
Asking for an explanation of a physical characteristic.
Because it's only if your bad
Offering an explanation or justification for the physical characteristic.
Once a upon a time I remember long ago
Beginning a traditional story format.
Don't go back in years through your memories kinda slow
Commanding the listener to pay attention and avoid getting sidetracked.
Stop your noisy talkin' till I've finished with ma tale
Demanding respect and quiet during storytelling.
Once upon
Continuing the traditional story format.
Upon a what
Jokingly prompting an interruption.
Upon your back you'll get a swat
Threatening discipline in response to the interruption.
Tell me about the fishy cause it's bigger than a whale
Asking for an entertaining story about a large creature.
Here's a tale you'll never forget
Beginning a story with a confident boast.
Whack whack whack
Imitating a spanking.
Ouch ma tails all red
Portraying painful consequences of disobedience.
And now get off to bed
Concluding storytime and signaling bedtime.
Aw come on daddy tell me a story hee hee
Endearing plea for an additional story.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TERRY GILKYSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tricky3209
My Grandpa would sing this song while bouncing me on his knee when we would visit growing up. He has Alzheimer's now and I was trying to remember the words to this song but was afraid they had been lost to time as I thought he had made it up. He would even do the voices of each singer, they're some of my most precious memories of growing up. Thank you for the video
@mrsbmurray7402
Me too, well almost. My dad was an amazing singer, (choirs,family choir/band etc. Tues nyts, after The Red Skeleton Show he would sing the chorus to me “before I went to bed” During his final years w Alzheimer’s I would phone him every nyt and we would harmonize together his fav hymn, then I’d sing to him my good nyt song. I had always wondered where he heard this chorus, now I know! Oh how blessed I am as he breathed his last here on earth 14 Feb 2020.
@massey11138
My grandad used to do the exact the same thing just one of many lasting memories.
@carolblume5073
Me too. I thought my dad had made it up. Surprised to find out my youngest daughter remembers him singing it to her too. Many years ago, of course as he has passed, and she is grown. But the memory remains.
@brendafisher5549
This just popped up in my memory. I was so happy to find it and play it for my 8 year old great granddaughter. She loved it!
@CamrynManson
This song is just absolutely magical and adorable.
@CamrynManson
I'm 33 and I play this for my 6 year old. He loves it. Timeless.
@CamrynManson
Wow same exact ages over here lol my son sings along it's so cute
@lindarussell9651
My Dad sang this to me when I was little, in England. I wanted to sing it to my grandson, but couldn't remember all the words. I was so happy to find it on Youtube! So thank you for posting it!
@markalson1938
Your very welcome, I sang this song to my kids when they were young also, but i couldn't do the song justiceI just wish I could sing