The Ames Brothers got their beginning in Malden, where all four were born. The act consisted of Joe (born 3 May 1921), Gene (born 13 February 1923), Vic (born 20 May 1925 - died 23 January 1978) and Ed (born 9 July 1927).
Born into a non-professional but musical family, the boys were brought up on classical and operatic music. Their parents, David and Sarah Urick, were Russian Jewish immigrants from the Ukraine who read Shakespeare and semi-classics to their nine children from the time they were old enough to listen.
The brothers formed a quartet with a cousin Lennie, and had been touring United States Army and Navy bases entertaining the troops and were offered a job at the Foxs and Hounds nightclub, one of the fanciest clubs in Boston. This one week engagement turned into several months when the word got around of their appearance. At the time, they were going by the name of the Amory Brothers, a name taken from Vic's middle name and they were becoming quite popular in the area. It was at this time that Joe decided to rejoin the group. He said they were just having too much fun together for him to miss out. Taking their act to New York they got a job with bandleader Art Mooney. One day while at Leeds Publishing Company in search of a song called "Should I" that their mother had asked them to sing, Milt Gabler of Decca Records heard them singing it and had them cut a few sides for Decca Records just before the ban which started in January, 1948.
A year later when the ban was lifted, the Ames Brothers were the first artists to record for Coral Records. The name Amory was shortened to Ames. They were swept into national top billing with their first hit record, "Rag Mop," in January, 1950. Doing radio shows for free at times just for the experience, they later became regulars on such shows as The Arthur Godfrey Hour. One of the first acts to appear on the original Ed Sullivan Show when it was known as Toast of the Town, they made their debut with him when the show was telecast live from Wanamaker's Department Store.
Soon, they were the top paid group in nightclubs and supperclubs everywhere and their popularity on television was nationwide. In 1956 they starred in their own show, The Ames Brothers Show, which was seen on Friday nights. It was the first syndicated television show to be shown in foreign countries.
Over their fifteen year career the prolific Brothers notched up 50 U.S. chart entries, 21 of them on the Coral label before signing with RCA Victor. The group disbanded in the 1960s but Ed Ames went on with a successful singing and acting career, including playing Daniel Boone's sidekick, Mingo, on the successful Daniel Boone television series (1964-1970).
They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
The Ames Brothers Lyrics
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Lean your ear this way
Don't you tell a single soul
What I'm going to say
Christmas time is coming soon
Now, you dear old man
Whisper what you'll bring to me
Tell me if you can
Jingle, jingle, tinkle, tinkle
Sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas
And his reindeer don't you know (ho, ho, ho)
Jingle, jingle, jingle, tinkle, tinkle, tinkle
Sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
How I'd like to be with you
On your midnight ride
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer
And Comet by your side
Vixen, Blitzen, Donner too
For your magic sleigh
Cupid will be right along
Jingling all the way
Jingle, jingle, tinkle, tinkle
Sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas
And his reindeer don't you know (ho, ho, ho)
Jingle, jingle, jingle, tinkle, tinkle, tinkle
Sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
Johnny wants a pair of skates
Susy wants a dolly
Nellie wants a story book
She thinks dolls are folly
As for me, my little brain isn't very bright
Choose for me, old Santa Claus
What you think is right
When the clock is striking twelve
When I'm fast asleep
Down the chimney with your pack
You'll softly creep
All the stockings you will find
Hanging in a row
Mine will be the shortest one
You'll be sure to know
Jingle, jingle, tinkle, tinkle
Sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas
And his reindeer don't you know (ho, ho, ho)
Jingle, jingle, jingle, tinkle, tinkle, tinkle
Sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
The lyrics to "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" by The Ames Brothers depict a child's excitement and anticipation for Christmas. The song begins by addressing Santa Claus, urging him to listen closely and promising not to reveal the secret to anyone. The child acknowledges that Christmas is approaching and requests Santa to whisper what gifts he will bring. The playful and joyful tone of the song is highlighted by the repetition of sounds, such as "jingle, jingle, tinkle, tinkle" symbolizing the sound of sleigh bells in the snow.
The second stanza expresses the desire of the child to join Santa on his midnight ride accompanied by his reindeer, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Comet, Vixen, Blitzen, and Donner. Even Cupid, the reindeer associated with Valentine's Day, is mentioned, emphasizing the magical and imaginative nature of Christmas. The child eagerly looks forward to Santa's arrival, emphasizing their excitement by repeating the jingle of the sleigh bells.
The final stanza reveals the specific desires of other children, such as Johnny wanting skates, Susy wanting a doll, and Nellie preferring a storybook over dolls. The child singing the song admits to having a less bright mind and defers to Santa's judgment for their gift. The song concludes with the image of Santa quietly entering the house through the chimney and finding stockings hanging in a row. The child's stocking is portrayed as the shortest, signaling Santa's knowledge of the child and their unique gift preferences.
Overall, the lyrics of "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" capture the innocence and excitement of a child awaiting Santa Claus's visit on Christmas Eve. The repetition of sounds and playful descriptions enhance the sense of joy and anticipation associated with the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Jolly Old St. Nicholas
Cheerful and joyful old Saint Nicholas
Lean your ear this way
Listen closely to what I have to say
Don't you tell a single soul
Keep this information a secret
What I'm going to say
The words that I'm about to share
Christmas time is coming soon
The holiday season is approaching
Now, you dear old man
Now, kind and beloved old man
Whisper what you'll bring to me
Quietly tell me what gifts you'll bring for me
Tell me if you can
Inform me if you're able to
Jingle, jingle, tinkle, tinkle
The sounds of bells ringing softly
Sleigh bells in the snow
The bells on the sleigh tinkling in the snowy landscape
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas
It's the cheerful and joyful old Saint Nicholas
And his reindeer don't you know
And his reindeer, as you surely know
How I'd like to be with you
How I wish I could accompany you
On your midnight ride
During your journey at midnight
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer
The names of Santa's reindeer
And Comet by your side
And with Comet accompanying you
Vixen, Blitzen, Donner too
Vixen, Blitzen, and Donner are also part of the group
For your magic sleigh
For your enchanted sleigh
Cupid will be right along
Cupid will be there with you
Jingling all the way
Making jingling sounds throughout the journey
Johnny wants a pair of skates
Johnny desires a pair of ice skates
Susy wants a dolly
Susy wants a doll
Nellie wants a story book
Nellie wishes for a book of stories
She thinks dolls are folly
She considers dolls to be foolish
As for me, my little brain isn't very bright
As for me, I'm not very clever
Choose for me, old Santa Claus
Decide on a gift for me, dear Santa Claus
What you think is right
Whatever you believe is the right choice
When the clock is striking twelve
At midnight when the clock is chiming twelve times
When I'm fast asleep
When I'm deeply in slumber
Down the chimney with your pack
Entering through the chimney with your bag of gifts
You'll softly creep
You'll move silently
All the stockings you will find
You will discover all the hanging stockings
Hanging in a row
Arranged in a line or sequence
Mine will be the shortest one
Mine will be the smallest stocking
You'll be sure to know
You'll have no doubt about it
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas
It's the cheerful and joyful old Saint Nicholas
And his reindeer don't you know
And his reindeer, as you surely know
It's Jolly Old St. Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
It's the cheerful and joyful old Saint Nicholas, and don't forget his reindeer
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Vaughn Horton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind