Traditions
November 28, 2023
Lyrics to 5 Popular Christmas Songs
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iStockPhoto / Marcos Elihu Castillo Ramirez
As Christmas approaches, so does the unmistakable sound of cherished Christmas carols wafting through crisp winter air. From Mariah Carey's irresistibly catchy All I Want For Christmas Is You, to the timeless countdown of The Twelve Days of Christmas, these popular yuletide anthems have long been ingrained in the holiday tradition.
These anthems, including Kelly Clarkson Christmas songs, Pentatonix Christmas songs, Ariana Grande Christmas songs, and of course, the velvet crooning of Bing Crosby's White Christmas song, not only induce nostalgia, but also bring joy and a warm, festive cheer.
SANTA.COM dives into the holly jolly world of the lyrics that adorn some of the most popular Christmas songs, revisiting their historical origins, and why these Christmas songs continue to fill our hearts year after year.
All I Want For Christmas Is…
You can’t escape Mariah Carey at this time of the year, singing what has become her modern-day Christmas anthem, All I Want For Christmas Is You. Written in 1994 by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff, the popular Christmas song has taken on a life of its own in the past three decades and is the biggest selling Christmas song of all time by a female artist.
Fun fact: At the time this song was conceived, Mariah Carey decorated her house with Christmas decorations to get into the holiday spirit. It must have worked because folklore has it that it only took Carey and Afanasieff a total of 15 minutes to compose the All I Want For Christmas is You lyrics. It’s undoubtedly one of the most iconic Mariah Carey songs ever written.
“All I Want For Christmas Is You” Lyrics
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you, yeah
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need (And I)
Don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace (Ah)
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas Day
I just want you for my own (Ooh)
More than you could ever know (Ooh)
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You, baby
Oh, I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow (And I)
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick (Ah)
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight (Ooh)
Holding on to me so tight (Ooh)
What more can I do?
Oh baby, all I want for Christmas is you
You, baby
Oh, all the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere (So brightly, baby)
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air (Oh, oh yeah)
And everyone is singing (Oh yeah)
I hear those sleigh bells ringing (Oh)
Santa, won't you bring me the one I really need? (Yeah, oh, oh)
Won't you please bring my baby to me?
Oh, I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for (Ah)
I just wanna see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh, I just want you for my own (Ooh)
More than you could ever know (Ooh)
Make my wish come true
Oh baby, all I want for Christmas is you
You, baby
All I want for Christmas is you, baby (You)
All I want for Christmas is you, baby (Ah, oh, ah, oh)
All I want for Christmas is you, baby (You)
All I want for Christmas is you, baby (All I really want, baby, ooh)
All I want for Christmas is you, baby (All I want, all I really want is you)
The Countdown To Christmas
Released on January 1, 1949, the quintessential version of the holiday classic, The 12 Days of Christmas, sung by Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters, has been delighting people for decades. The 12 Days of Christmas song whose words were first published in England in the late eighteenth century, with later additions by Frederic Austin, is always a party-pleaser. And the 12 Days of Christmas lyrics are an old Christmas song tongue-twister that makes every Christmas party fun.
“The 12 Days of Christmas” Lyrics
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.
On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Three French hens, Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Four calling birds, Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Five gold rings.
Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings,
Four calling birds, Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four calling birds, Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings,
Four calling birds, Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four calling birds, Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings,
Four calling birds, Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four calling birds, Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming, Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings,
Four calling birds, Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree!
The Christmas Everyone is Dreaming About
White Christmas is most definitely one of the most popular Christmas songs in the world. The White Christmas song was written by Irving Berlin in 1942 and gained iconic status after being featured in the film Holiday Inn, performed by Bing Crosby.
Since then, this old Christmas song has been covered by numerous artists, from Frank Sinatra to Michael Bublé, in various languages, making it one of the most popular Christmas songs in history. Notably, Bing Crosby's version is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the best-selling single of all time, with over 50 million copies sold worldwide.
Its nostalgic lyrics longing for traditional snowy Christmases have resonated with audiences, making it a perennial holiday favorite for decades.
“White Christmas” Lyrics
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white.
A Hawaiian Christmas Song For The Ages
Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters top the most popular Christmas songs list again with this Hawaiian twist on a Christmas carol. Written by Hawaii composer Robert Alexander Anderson in 1949, Mele Kalikimaka is one of the most fun Christmas carols to sing, and makes the SANTA.COM Top 5 list of lyrics to Popular Christmas songs. Get out your ukulele and sing along to this iconic Hawaiian Christmas song!
“Mele Kalikimaka” Lyrics
Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas day
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway.
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say Merry Christmas to you.
Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas day
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway.
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say Merry Christmas to you.
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say Merry Christmas to you.
Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas day
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway.
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say Merry Christmas
A very Merry Christmas
A very, very, Merry, Merry Christmas to you.
When Jack Frost Nips at Your Nose
Made popular by the late, great Nat King Cole, The Christmas Song (also known as Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire), is a holiday staple. Since its first recording in 1946, this Christmas classic—written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells—has grown to be one of the most recognizable and cherished Christmas carols of all time.
The enchanting melody and warm lyrics paint a picturesque image of Christmas, capturing the hearts of millions worldwide. The success and longevity of this song make the Jack Frost nipping at your nose lyrics, some of the most popular Christmas song lyrics of the holiday season. The Christmas Song not only cemented Nat King Cole's legacy in music history, but also marked this song as an indelible part of Christmas tradition.
“The Christmas Song” Lyrics
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide 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 reindeers 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.
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.
In Conclusion
As you venture out to holiday parties this Christmas season with lyrics in hand, remember the sentiment behind the famous Charlie Brown Christmas Song, “Christmas time is here!”
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