The Christmas Song
Vince Guaraldi Trio Lyrics


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Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two




Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you!

Overall Meaning

The Christmas Song by Vince Guaraldi Trio is a classic Christmas song that paints a magical picture of the season with its lyrics. The song starts with the image of chestnuts roasting on an open fire and Jack Frost nipping at your nose, setting the scene for a cozy, warm Christmas night. The second line imbibes a wintery feel with the reference to Jack Frost. The reference to Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir and folks dressed up like Eskimos builds an atmosphere of festivity and cheerfulness.


The next lines refer to some of the most cherished aspects of Christmas - turkey, mistletoe, and children. These are the things that help make the season bright, and the sight of little children with their eyes all aglow fills everyone's hearts with joy. The last two lines hint at the excitement, anticipation, and magic that Christmas brings, with the arrival of Father Christmas, his sleigh loaded with toys and goodies. Every mother's child will try to catch a glimpse and see if the reindeer truly know how to fly.


Finally, the song concludes with a simple yet memorable phrase wishing kids from one to ninety-two a very Merry Christmas. Though it has been said many times and in many ways, the message remains as heartfelt and warm as it did when it was first sung.


Line by Line Meaning

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Picture yourself in front of a cozy fire, roasting chestnuts to perfection.


Jack Frost nipping at your nose
The cold winter air tingles on your nose and cheeks, reminding you of Jack Frost's presence.


Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
The sound of traditional holiday songs fills the air as a choir harmonizes beautifully.


And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everyone is bundled up in warm, furry clothing like Eskimos to stay comfortable in the chill.


Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
At Christmastime, it's common knowledge that turkey and mistletoe add to the festivity.


Help to make the season bright
These holiday staples light up the season with joy and merriment.


Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Young children are filled with wonder and glee as they anticipate the magic of this time of year.


Will find it hard to sleep tonight
The excitement of Christmas Eve will make it difficult for kids to drift off to sleep.


They know that Santa's on his way
Every child knows that Santa Claus is coming to deliver presents and spread joy.


He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
St. Nick is bringing a sleigh full of wonderful toys and treats for children to enjoy.


And every mother's child is gonna spy
Kids can't wait to peek out and see if they can spot Santa and his reindeer.


To see if reindeer really know how to fly
The magic of Christmas includes the wonder of seeing flying reindeer delivering presents around the world.


And so I'm offering this simple phrase
As a token of my appreciation, I want to share this heartfelt message with people of all ages.


To kids from one to ninety-two
This holiday greeting is for everyone, from the youngest children to the oldest adults.


Although it's been said many times, many ways
This well-known message is a classic that stands the test of time and is shared in countless ways.


Merry Christmas to you!
May your Christmas be full of love, laughter, and all the happiness the season has to offer.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mel Torme, Robert Wells

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Letitia Rydjeski

This has to be the most beautiful treatment of this song that I have ever heard.

Tired

That album cover just instantly put the most gigantic smile on my face.

Gerard Beaubrun

Quite simply, in this treatment of the Christmas Song, that something magical bordering the impossible was crafted. An emotion captured from a vanished moment finds life as the warm whiff. Jazz a high form of musical expression giving form to an emotion children epitomize.

For an innocent who still marvels at the one extra details discovered on something seen and experienced everyday, this beautiful time as not just a moment of joy but a celebrations of the 5 senses.

What else could epitomizes the crackling of the burning wood and that alluring aroma of roasted chestnut than the spitting notes and almost slurring runs of the intro. What is heard suddenly spurs curiosity; a reminder of the gifts wrapped by the Christmas tree. Excited as the fast lines of the outro shows, one sprints towards this space.

in 0:52, the magical frame of this fairy tale is beautifully. It is probably closer to dusk and there are probably people engaging in conversation but stolen by the spirit of Christmas, child seeks the silence of the living room decorated with fabrics of rad, leaves of green over wooden or carpeted brown, presently the altar of love, laughter, life and light.

1:41 As the child walks closer to the fireplace, the warmth of the invisible embrace of life surrounds him as one nostrils find that alluring smell of chestnut. With the lounge feel of the marriage of the hypnotic drum brushes and the feeling security the vibrate with the avuncular presence of the bass, you can tell that the invisible hero of pauses and observes. The beauty of it is overwhelming.
From his carefully placed moments of hesitations, the bumbling of stylistic ideas springing just like happy thoughts, the use of blues patterns to suggest that something greater is at play, the sense of wonder is rightfully mimicked

Now just like everyone beautiful moments in life, this goes somewhat to quickly. Vince magnificently prepares us to let go, willingly of this fantasy at 2:47. When the "merry Christmas" line calmly but doleful minor chord, we know Christmas will draw to an end. It was overwhelmingly beautiful. The music, the excitement, the gifts, the hugs, the faces, the laughter all this must not be abandoned but let go

Christmas in retrospect is a personal experience and Vince understood that well. His conclusion reminds that it is not simply the moments that make Christmas but its introspection.

There is something human in engineering this warm morsel of humanity, the metamorphosis of finite seconds into motivation in the tough moments to come, the re-framing of that feeling of warmth, security and love into a future that can and deserves to be built.

OHTNMomof4

@Gerard Beaubrun This, your comment, is the most lovely comment of the many hundreds, maybe thousands, I have ever read. I saw, smelled the scents, heard the sounds, felt the warmth, the cozy picture you painted throughout this song. As effortlessly the fingers glide across the keys of the piano, you wrote the words sweeping us right into it. Thank you. I will always associate your lovely words to this song when I hear it.

Cyril Kerry

There were a children's chlorine singing along with the trio
.

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