Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Manilow Barry Lyrics


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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?

Is it Herman? (no)
Is it Sherman? (no)
Is it Eddie, is it Freddy (no, no, no)
Is it Elton? (no)
Is it Billy? (no)
Is it Sting perhaps?
(Oh you'll never ever get it)
(Don't snap your caps)

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
Play in any reindeer games

Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?
Then all the reindeer loved him
And they shouted out with glee
"Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
You'll go down in history!"

You better keep your nose
A red red rose
(You better keep your beak
All pink and sweet)
You better keep your shnaz




Maroon because
You will go down in history

Overall Meaning

Barry Manilow's "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" is a cover version of the classic Christmas song originally written by Johnny Marks in 1949. The song tells the story of a reindeer named Rudolph and his unique and special ability to guide Santa's sleigh through the foggy Christmas Eve. The song begins with a reference to other reindeers including Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen but then shifts the focus to Rudolph, who is the most famous of them all.


Rudolph was often the subject of ridicule and bullying from the other reindeers because of his bright red nose. The lyrics are particularly poignant and illustrate the harsh reality of exclusion and discrimination. However, things take a brighter turn on one foggy Christmas Eve when Rudolph's special powers become valuable, and Santa needs him to guide his sleigh. The other reindeers immediately stop their teasing, and they shout out with delight, expressing their newfound love for Rudolph. This part of the song highlights the transformation of Rudolph's reputation and his acceptance by others, despite his differences.


The last verse of the song reminds Rudolph to keep his red nose because it is what made him famous and immortalized his legacy. The song has become a Christmas classic and remains popular today, reminding people of the importance of being kind and accepting of others, despite their differences.


Line by Line Meaning

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?
You're aware of all those famous reindeer like Dasher, Prancer, and Cupid, but can you remember the most famous and important one of them all?


Is it Herman? (no) Is it Sherman? (no) Is it Eddie, is it Freddy (no, no, no) Is it Elton? (no) Is it Billy? (no) Is it Sting perhaps? (Oh you'll never ever get it) (Don't snap your caps)
It's not any of those popular names like Herman or Elton, or even lesser-known ones like Eddie or Freddy. It's a surprise that you'll never guess, so don't get too worked up over it.


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 Play in any reindeer games
Rudolph is a reindeer with a very unique and shiny red nose that glows in the dark. Sadly, the other reindeer used to bully him and make fun of him, so he never got to join in on any of their games.


Then one foggy Christmas Eve Santa came to say Rudolph with your nose so bright Won't you guide my sleigh tonight? Then all the reindeer loved him And they shouted out with glee "Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer You'll go down in history!"
On a foggy Christmas Eve, Santa asked Rudolph to guide his sleigh because of his bright and shiny nose. The other reindeer began to love and accept Rudolph and celebrated him as a hero who would always be remembered in history.


You better keep your nose A red red rose (You better keep your beak All pink and sweet) You better keep your shnaz Maroon because You will go down in history
The lesson to be learned from Rudolph's experience is that everyone should embrace their unique qualities and traits, even if others make fun of them. If you keep your special features and stay true to yourself, you too can be remembered and celebrated.




Lyrics © Roba Music Verlag GMBH, ST. NICHOLAS MUSIC INC., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Johnny Marks

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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