Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Ray Coniff and the Singers 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?

Oh, 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, other, other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games

Then one foggy Christmas Eve
You know, Santa came to say
"Hey, Rudolph, you with your nose so bright
Come on, come on, come on, come on guide my sleigh tonight (ooh)

Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee
"Hey, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
You'll go down in history"

Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
"Hey, Rudolph, you with your nose so bright
Come on, come on, come on, come on guide my sleigh tonight (ooh)

Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee
"Hey, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
You'll go down in history"

Hey Rudolph, come on and guide my sleigh
Ooh hey Rudolph, come on and guide my sleigh




Hey Rudolph, come on and guide my sleigh tonight
Hey, hey Rudolph

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" by Ray Coniff and the Singers tell the story of a special reindeer named Rudolph. The song starts by listing all of the known reindeer, including Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen, that pull Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve. However, the chorus moves on to the most important reindeer, Rudolph, whose nose is the color of a bright, shining red. Despite his unique feature, the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names, avoiding playing reindeer games with him.


One foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to Rudolph and asked him to guide his sleigh with his bright, glowing nose. The other reindeer were amazed at Rudolph's ability and quickly came around, loving him for the unique gift he possessed. The song closes with the declaration that Rudolph will go down in history, as one of the most important reindeer of all time.


Line by Line Meaning

You know Dasher and Dancer
You’re familiar with Dasher and Dancer


And Prancer and Vixen
And also Prancer and Vixen


Comet and Cupid
Additionally, Comet and Cupid


And Donner and Blitzen
Not to forget Donner and Blitzen


But do you recall
But have you ever heard


The most famous reindeer of all
About the most well-known reindeer of all?


Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
Rudolph, the reindeer with the red nose


Had a very shiny nose.
Had a bright, glowing nose.


And if you ever saw him
If you ever caught a glimpse of him


You would even say it glows
You’d have to admit it gleams


All of the other reindeer
Every other reindeer


Used to laugh and call him names
Would mock and taunt him


They never let poor Rudolph
They never permitted the unfortunate Rudolph


Play in any reindeer games
To participate in any reindeer games


Then one foggy Christmas Eve
But then, on a misty Christmas Eve


Santa came to say
Santa appeared and said


"Rudolph with your nose so bright
"Rudolph, your radiant nose


Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Would you lead my sleigh this very night?"


Then all the reindeer loved him
From then on, all the other reindeer adored him


As they shouted out with glee
As they burst out in joyous cries


Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Rudolph, the reindeer with the red nose


You'll go down in history!
Will forever be remembered!




Lyrics © ST. NICHOLAS MUSIC INC., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Johnny Marks

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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