Up On The Housetop
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Up on the housetop reindeer pause
Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
Oh! Who wouldn't go? Who wouldn't go?
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go? Who wouldn't, who wouldn't go?

First comes the stocking of little Nell
Oh, dear Santa fill it well
Give her a dolly that laughs and cries
One that will open and shut its eyes
Oh! Who wouldn't go? Who wouldn't go?
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go? Who wouldn't, who wouldn't go?

Next comes the stocking of little Will
Oh, just see what a glorious fill
Here is a hammer and lots of tacks
Whistle and ball and a set of jacks
Oh! Who wouldn't go? Who wouldn't go?
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go? Who wouldn't, who wouldn't go?

Who wouldn't go? Who wouldn't go?
Oh, oh, oh!

Up on the housetop, spirit of the dead
Anyone particular, everyone a-fed
I'm in the duster holding it down
Waiting for a miracle, waiting for a crowd
(Oh! Who wouldn't go?)
One of the scenario, thinking up a cause
Anyone particular, any old cause
Hands on the counter, feet on the floor
Moving to the kitchen and you get your passport

Up on the housetop, spirit of the dead
Down into the chimney, is what the men said
(Oh! Who wouldn't go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?)
Up on the housetop, spirit of the dead
Down into the chimney, is what the men said
(Oh! Who wouldn't go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?)

Up on the housetop reindeer pause
Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
Ho, ho, ho ! Who wouldn't go? Who wouldn't go?
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?

Up on the housetop, spirit of the dead
Down into the chimney, is what the men said
(Oh! Who wouldn't go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?)
Up on the housetop, spirit of the dead
Down into the chimney, is what the men said
(Oh! Who wouldn't go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?)





Oh, oh, oh! Who wouldn't go? Who wouldn't go?
Oh, oh, oh! Who wouldn't go? Who wouldn't, who wouldn't go?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sufjan Stevens's song "Up On The Housetop" draw their inspiration from a classic Christmas song of the same name which describes the excitement and anticipation of children on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa Claus to arrive with his reindeer and bag full of toys. The song begins by depicting Santa's reindeer resting on the rooftop before Santa jumps out of the chimney with an abundance of toys. The lyrics are full of festive joy and wonder, and the repetitive refrain of "Oh! Who wouldn't go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go? Who wouldn't, who wouldn't go?" emphasizes the uncontainable enthusiasm associated with Christmas.


The second half of the song dramatically switches gears with cryptic, fragmented lyrics that seem to have nothing to do with Santa or Christmas. However, it's possible to interpret them as metaphors for seeking purpose in life and yearning for spiritual fulfillment. The phrase "spirit of the dead" can refer to the ghostly guiding force of ancestors, and the lines "One of the scenario, thinking up a cause / Anyone particular, any old cause" suggest the search for meaning and purpose in one's actions. The image of waiting for a miracle and a crowd might represent a longing for transcendence and connection with others. Overall, the song has a childlike, playful surface meaning that contrasts with deeper existential questions about the meaning of life.


Line by Line Meaning

Up on the housetop reindeer pause
Reindeer halt atop a roof


Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Santa springs from his sleigh


Down through the chimney with lots of toys
Descending through the chimney with many playthings


All for the little ones, Christmas joys
Everything for children, bringing Yuletide happiness


Oh! Who wouldn't go? Who wouldn't go?
Oh! Who wouldn't go along? (repeat)


Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go? Who wouldn't, who wouldn't go?
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't accompany? (repeat)


First comes the stocking of little Nell
Initial stocking belongs to young Nell


Oh, dear Santa fill it well
Holy Saint Nicholas, please make it full


Give her a dolly that laughs and cries
Grant her a doll that chuckles and sobs


One that will open and shut its eyes
One that opens and closes its eyes


Next comes the stocking of little Will
Following one belongs to wee Will


Oh, just see what a glorious fill
Goodness, it's a splendiferous stocking


Here is a hammer and lots of tacks
Contained within, a hammer and numerous thumbtacks


Whistle and ball and a set of jacks
A whistle, ball, and array of jacks


Up on the housetop, spirit of the dead
Above the rooftop, souls of the deceased


Anyone particular, everyone a-fed
Random individuals, each one nourished


I'm in the duster holding it down
I'm wearing the duster, anchoring it


Waiting for a miracle, waiting for a crowd
Anticipating a wonder, awaiting an audience


(Oh! Who wouldn't go?)
(Oh! Who wouldn't go along?)


One of the scenario, thinking up a cause
One of the possible events, devising a reason


Anyone particular, any old cause
Any particular person, any mundane motive


Hands on the counter, feet on the floor
Hands on the countertop, feet on the floorboards


Moving to the kitchen and you get your passport
Heading to the kitchen and obtaining your passport


Down into the chimney, is what the men said
What the people said: descending into the chimney


(Oh! Who wouldn't go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?)
(Oh! Who wouldn't accompany? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?)


Oh, oh, oh! Who wouldn't go? Who wouldn't go?
Oh, oh, oh! Who wouldn't go along? (repeat)


Oh, oh, oh! Who wouldn't go? Who wouldn't, who wouldn't go?
Oh, oh, oh! Who wouldn't accompany? (repeat)




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Benjamin Hanby

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@nic0lelynch449

god bless crystal man alex.

@Ava_Hofmann

first of all, first. second of all, good song

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