Clooney's first recordings, in May 1946, were for Columbia Records. She sang with Tony Pastor's big band. Clooney continued working with the Pastor band until 1949, making her last recording with the band in May of that year and her first as a solo artist a month later, still for Columbia.
She came to prominence in the early 1950s with the novelty hit Come On-a My House written by William Saroyan and his cousin Ross Bagdasarian (better known as David Seville, the father figure of Alvin and the Chipmunks), which was followed by other pop numbers such as "Botch-a-Me" (a cover version of the Italian song Ba-Ba-Baciami Piccina by Alberto Rabagliati), "Mambo Italiano", "Tenderly", "Half as Much", "Hey There" and "This Ole House", although she had success as a jazz vocalist. Clooney's career languished in the 1960s, partly due to problems related to depression and drug addiction, but revived in 1977, when her White Christmas co-star Bing Crosby asked her to appear with him at a show marking his 50th anniversary in show business. She continued recording until her death in 2002. She was the aunt of Academy Award winning actor George Clooney; mother-in-law of singer Debby Boone; and sister to former television personality Nick Clooney. She was the ex-wife of Jose Ferrer; mother of actor Miguel Ferrer
Clooney was diagnosed with lung cancer at the end of 2001. Around this time, she gave her last concert, in Hawaii, backed by the Honolulu Symphony Pops; her last song was "God Bless America".
The Night Before Christmas
Rosemary Clooney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
All the stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In the hope that Saint Niccholas soon would be there.
Then, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
A miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
A little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick.
As he shouted “On Dasher” and each reindeer's name.
And so up to the housetop the reindeer soon flew
With the sleigh full of toys and Saint Nicholas, too.
Down the chimney he came with a leap and a bound;
He was dressed allin fur, and his belly was round.
He spoke not a word but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stocking, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
Then giving a nod up the chimney he rose.
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
“Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”
Rosemary Clooney's song "The Night Before Christmas" is a retelling of the classic Christmas poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore. The poem recounts the experience of someone waiting for Santa Claus to arrive on Christmas Eve. The song opens with the description of a quiet household, where there is not a single sound to be heard, not even from a mouse. The stockings are carefully hung by the chimney, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. As the waiting person looks outside, they see a miniature sleigh pulled by eight tiny reindeer with a little old driver so lively and quick. It's Santa Claus himself, and in a matter of moments, he climbs down the chimney with the help of his trusty reindeers, who are as swift as eagles.
Santa Claus is described as a jolly, round man who goes straight to his work of filling the stockings without saying a word. He finishes the job quickly and says goodbye, leaving behind a wish for a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. The song deviates from the poem in some places, but the overall feel remains the same. The lyrics are accompanied by soft, warm music that perfectly sets the tone for a magical Christmas night.
Line by Line Meaning
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
It was the night before Christmas and everything was quiet in the house.
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
Nothing was moving around, not even a tiny mouse.
All the stockings were hung by the chimney with care
The stockings were carefully placed on the chimney in the hope of receiving gifts.
In the hope that Saint Niccholas soon would be there.
The stockings were hung with the hope of Saint Nicholas, who would be there soon.
Then, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw what was happening.
A miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
I saw a small sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.
A little old driver so lively and quick,
The driver was small but surprisingly quick and full of life.
I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick.
I immediately knew it was Saint Nicholas.
And more rapid than eagles his reindeer all came
The reindeer came quickly, faster than eagles.
As he shouted “On Dasher” and each reindeer's name.
The driver called out each reindeer's name, including Dasher.
And so up to the housetop the reindeer soon flew
Soon, the reindeer flew up to the rooftop.
With the sleigh full of toys and Saint Nicholas, too.
The sleigh was filled with toys and Saint Nicholas was also on board.
Down the chimney he came with a leap and a bound;
Saint Nicholas came down the chimney with a leap and a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, and his belly was round.
Saint Nicholas was dressed in fur and had a round belly.
He spoke not a word but went straight to his work,
Saint Nicholas didn't say anything but got straight to work.
And filled all the stocking, then turned with a jerk.
He filled all the stockings and then turned around suddenly.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
He put his finger beside his nose.
Then giving a nod up the chimney he rose.
He gave a nod and rose up the chimney.
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
As he left, I heard him shout something.
“Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”
He shouted “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE, JAMES MERRILL BRICKMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@storeytime9
Love it! Reminds me of my childhood. Thanks for posting.
@godzillapowerpufffan8142
This is one of my favorite Christmas songs of all time
@jenniferburrell7541
All children should listen to Christmas songs like this ... so many happy memories for me and still brings them back.
Ah, the Wonder Horse.....and my mum wondered why she had to fork out 5 shillings for a horse ride every Sunday ! He's got a lot to answer for !!!
@B3autySparks
gorgeous. xmas is an awful time for me but this song is beautiful.
@Invasion1963
Wonderful!
@heidiautrey9565
Love this It reminds me of my childhood .
@MaksymilianPizzochero
One of the best Christmas songs
@aemiliacarolphonetube9749
So beautiful
@walterhaight5382
Reached #9 on the DJ chart.
@daleschneider7689
That was a really respectable chart position.