Christmas Is Coming
Various Artists Lyrics

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You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list,
Checking it twice;
Gonna find out who's naughty or nice.
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake

With little tin horns and little toy drums
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake
Goodness sake

You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming
Santa Claus is coming
Santa Claus is coming to town

(Coming to town)
Santa's a busy man he has no time to play
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
(Santa Claus is coming to town)
(Coming to town)

(Santa Claus is coming to town)
(Coming to town)

Overall Meaning

The song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" is a classic holiday tune that has been enjoyed by generations of listeners. The lyrics are a cheerful reminder of the Christmas season and the anticipation of the arrival of Santa Claus. The song begins with a warning to children that they need to be on their best behavior, as Santa Claus is coming to town and will be watching to see who has been naughty or nice. The lyrics encourage children to be good for the sake of goodness and to avoid any negative behavior or attitudes.

The second verse of the song highlights Santa's powerful abilities as he is able to see and know everything about the children he is visiting. The lyrics suggest that Santa Claus is a magical being who has the power to visit children in their sleep and to know if they have been good or bad. The final verse of the song describes the joyful sounds of the holiday season, including the tinkling of tin horns, the beating of toy drums, and the rumbling of tum tums. The lyrics paint a vibrant picture of the holiday season and the many different ways that people celebrate.

Overall, "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" is a playful and upbeat song that captures the holiday spirit and encourages people to be kind, generous, and joyful during the Christmas season.

Line by Line Meaning

You better watch out
Be cautious and alert

You better not cry
Crying is not allowed

You better not pout
Frowning is unacceptable

I'm telling you why
I am informing you about the reason

Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is on his way

He's making a list,
He is preparing a list

Checking it twice;
Reviewing the list carefully

Gonna find out who's naughty or nice.
Determined to identify who is well-behaved and who is not

He sees you when you're sleeping
He is aware when you are asleep

He knows when you're awake
He knows when you are conscious

He knows if you've been bad or good
He knows whether you have misbehaved or behaved well