Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Various Artists Lyrics


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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 reindeer used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games

Then one foggy Christmas eve Santa came to say
"Rudolph with your nose so bright well won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Then all the reindeer loved him as they shouted out with glee
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer you'll go down in history

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it you could even say it glows
All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games

Then one foggy Christmas Eve Santa came to say
"Rudolph with your nose so bright well won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Then all the reindeer loved him as they shouted out with glee




Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer you'll go down in history
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer you'll go down in history, hey

Overall Meaning

The song "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" tells the story of a reindeer named Rudolph who has a unique feature: a shiny, red nose. This feature sets him apart from the other reindeer and causes them to laugh and make fun of him, not allowing him to join in any of their games. However, on one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa Claus recognizes Rudolph's nose as a potential asset and asks him to lead his sleigh through the darkness. Rudolph proves his worth and gains the acceptance and admiration of the other reindeer, becoming a hero in the process. The lyrics speak to themes of bullying, individuality, and acceptance, highlighting the importance of embracing one's differences and standing up for oneself.


Line by Line Meaning

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose
Rudolph was a special reindeer with a nose that shone brightly.


And if you ever saw it you would even say it glows
The shine on his nose was so bright that it would catch anyone's attention.


All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names
Unfortunately, the other reindeer used to make fun of him and call him names because of his shiny nose.


They never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games
As a result of the bullying, Rudolph was never allowed to play any games with the other reindeer.


Then one foggy Christmas eve Santa came to say
On a foggy Christmas Eve, Santa Claus arrived to Rudolph to talk to him.


"Rudolph with your nose so bright well won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Santa saw Rudolph's unique ability to see through the fog because of his nose and asked him to lead his sleigh that night.


Then all the reindeer loved him as they shouted out with glee
Once Rudolph was accepted and given importance, all the other reindeer started to appreciate him and cheer him up.


Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer you'll go down in history
Rudolph's contribution to that one historical night will always be remembered, and he will go down in history.


Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer you'll go down in history, hey
What that night did, and what Rudolph did, especially, will always be remembered and celebrated.




Writer(s): Johnny Marks

Contributed by Bailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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