The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
The Christmas Song
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you!
The song, The Christmas Song by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, paints a vivid picture of the traditional Christmas atmosphere. It starts with the first line, "chestnuts roasting on an open fire" which is a popular practice during the winter season, where families gather around the open fire and roast chestnuts. "Jack Frost nipping at your nose" is a beautiful visual of cold winter winds blowing into your nose making it feel like Jack frost is nipping at it. The line, "yuletide carols being sung by a choir" depicts the beautiful carols that are sung during Christmas by choirs all around the world. "And folks dressed up like Eskimos" represents the cold winter season and how people dress warmly to protect themselves from the harsh cold weather. The second stanza shows that the holiday season is incomplete without a turkey and mistletoe, essential elements to make the festivities bright. The third stanza brings out the excitement and anticipation of children for Santa Claus to arrive on Christmas Eve with gifts and goodies on his sleigh. The last stanza offers a simple and heartfelt message conveying the spirit of the holiday season, where people of all ages come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
The warm and comforting sensation of chestnuts being roasted over an open fire symbolizes the love, family, and enduring traditions of the holiday season.
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
The chill of winter that nips at the tip of your nose is a reminder of the beauty and purity of the season, and the value of warmth and fellowship.
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
The sounds of carolers singing together in harmony represent the unity, peace, and goodwill that the holiday season inspires in people around the world.
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
The joyous and playful tradition of dressing up in warm, cozy clothing like Eskimos shows that the season is also a time for celebration, fun, and lightheartedness.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
The familiar and cherished symbols of the turkey and mistletoe remind us of the bounty and blessings of the season, as well as the importance of sharing and expressing gratitude with loved ones.
Help to make the season bright
These simple traditions and gestures have the power to brighten up our lives and bring warmth to even the coldest and darkest of days.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
The innocent and pure joy of children during this time of year is a testament to the magic and wonder that the season can inspire in all of us.
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
The anticipation and excitement of Christmas Eve can make it difficult for even the youngest among us to fall asleep, as we eagerly await the arrival of the holiday and all of its blessings.
They know that Santa's on his way
The mythical and beloved figure of Santa Claus represents the spirit of giving, generosity, and joy that are at the heart of the holiday season.
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
The abundance of toys and candies that accompany Santa's arrival symbolize the happy and welcoming spirit of the season, as well as the importance of sharing and giving to others.
And every mother's child is gonna spy
The sense of playful intrigue and excitement that surrounds Santa's arrival is a reminder that the season is also a time for fun, imagination and childlike wonder.
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
The fantastical notion of flying reindeer and magical sleighs reflects the wondrous and mysterious nature of the holiday season, as well as the boundless potential for joy and surprise that it holds.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
This heartfelt expression of good wishes and love serves as a reminder that the holiday season is also a time for humility, gratitude, and connection with others.
To kids from one to ninety-two
The joy and warmth of the holiday season are meant to be shared across all generations, with everyone from the youngest children to the oldest among us.
Although it's been said many times, many ways
The enduring and timeless sentiment of Merry Christmas reminds us that, despite the many changes and challenges of life, the spirit of love and joy that the holiday embodies remain constant and evergreen over the generations.
Merry Christmas to you!
The final line of the song is an expression of good will, love, and happiness to all, reflecting the universal appeal and importance of the holiday season for people all around the world.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@devinbernatchez8165
O Holy Night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name
@davidknecht
That phrase "Fall on you knees...." always evokes such emotion in me. Perhaps because someday I hope to do precisely that!
@cocobenji6123
Best way to pray.
@fronkh
For me as well.. Straight up goosebumps.
@crosisofborg5524
It’s my favorite part of the song but so many singers don’t emphasize it as they should. It should be sung with power as a glorious moment.
@NicoColon5
It’s so great to see others feel the same way
@vincevasquez8741
There's no better time than now. True peace and salvation can only be redeemed through Christ. I spent years searching for it, and it was only when I did precisely this that I started to see my prayers answered. 🙏
@DonMoenBestChristian
Reading some of these comments I couldn't help but share my experience and I pray that God will cover you always. I lost my father when I was 5 years old. It's been 9 yrs now and I'm 13. So I just wanna thank God for everything he has done for me and is continue to do for me.The people who he has place in my path both good and bad are there for a reason. For me to change them for the better.And I just continue to ask god to bless me and my family.🙏🙏🙏 Thank you
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@FORGIVZEN
Sorry to hear, I also lost my father when I was 5 years old and my mother when I was 13 years old. Life became dark after that 10 years later I was saved and found Jesus, and now I have my own family and 3 children that I love more than anything else on earth.
@jacobharley8401
Beautifully said. I lost my last grandparents in 2021, along with my aunt, who was very close to me and my mom. That year was easily the lowest point of my life, but thankfully God has brought me back up out of it and has helped me through my toughest challenges. Praise God!
@oldducky
Prayers up sweet child! It’s so hard to lose someone at that age. I lost my brother to cancer when I was 13. He was seven years old. You are in my prayers. You will get through this stay close to the Lord.