Jolly old St. Nicholas, Lean your ear this way!
Don’t you tell a single soul, What I’m going to say;
Christmas Eve is coming soon, Now, you dear old man,
Whisper what you’ll bring to me: Tell me if you can.
What it’s gonna be, Santa. Underneath the tree, Santa.
What it’s gonna be, Santa. Leave this year for me.
What it’s gonna be, Santa. Underneath the tree, Santa.
What it’s gonna be, Santa. Leave this year for me.
When the clock is striking twelve, When I’m fast asleep,
Down the chimney broad and black, With your pack you’ll creep.
All the stockings you will find Hanging in a row;
Mine will be the shortest one, You’ll be sure to know.
What it’s gonna be, Santa. Underneath the tree, Santa.
What it’s gonna be, Santa. Leave this year for me.
What it’s gonna be, Santa. Underneath the tree, Santa.
What
it’s gonna be, Santa. Leave this year for me.
History
“Jolly Old Saint Nicholas” is a Christmas song that originated with a poem by Emily Huntington Miller (1833-1913), published as “Lilly’s Secret” in The Little Corporal Magazine in December 1865. The song’s lyrics have also been attributed to Benjamin Hanby, who wrote a similar song in the 1860s, Up on the Housetop. However, the lyrics now in common use closely resemble Miller’s 1865 poem.
The music has been attributed to John Piersol McCaskey, a school principal and former Mayor of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who claimed to have written the song in 1867.[4][5] The “Johnny” mentioned in the song who wants a pair of skates is McCaskey’s late son, John, who died as a child.
McCaskey’s 1881 publication that included Jolly Old Saint Nicholas attributed it to School Chimes, A New School Music Book, published by S. Brainard’s Sons in 1874, written by the hymn composer James Ramsey Murray
The 1994 TV Movie Jolly Old St. Nicholas starring Jerry Reynolds, Rachel Rutledge, Andy Kuhn, director by Russ Harris, G. Brian Reynolds was a animated Christmas special about Scuddle and Clawdia who join Santa Clause as he delivers presents.
- Jolly old St. Nicholas,
- Lean your ear this way.
- Don’t you tell a single soul
- What I’m going to say.
- Christmas Eve is coming soon.
- Now, you dear old man,
- Whisper what you’ll bring to me.
- Tell me if you can.
- Lean your ear this way;
- Don’t you tell a single soul
- What I’m going to say,
- Christmas Eve is coming soon;
- Now now dear old man,
- Whisper what you’ll bring to me;
- Tell me if you can.
- When the clock is striking twelve,
- When I’m fast asleep,
- Down the chimney broad and black
- With your pack you’ll creep;
- All the stockings you will find
- Hanging in a row;
- Mine will be the shortest one;
- You’ll be sure to 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, dear Santa Claus,
- What you think is right.