Uploaded December 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
"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. Some people have also attributed the lyrics to John Piersol McCaskey—a song editor and publisher, among other things, at the time. His great great grandson has said he wrote the song in 1867, and that the "Johnny" mentioned in the song who wants a pair of skates, is McCaskey's late son, John, who died as a child. However, there is no known evidence for this. McCaskey's own published 1881 book, Franklin Square Song Collection No. 1, a book in which proper attribution is given to songs' lyricists and composers, does not list himself as having had anything to do with the song.
The music is generally believed to have been written by James R. Murray. The first publication of the music was in 1874 in School Chimes, A New School Music Book by S. Brainard's Sons, and attributes the music to him. The 1881 publication by McCaskey gives attribution to the S. Brainard's Sons publication, which would mean Murray.
Some notable recordings were by Ray Smith in 1949, Chet Atkins in 1961, Eddy Arnold in 1962, The Chipmunks in 1963, Andy Williams in 1995, Anne Murray in 2001, and Carole King in 2017.
The Ray Smith 1949 version was revised, rearranged, and had additional lyrics credited to songwriter Vaughn Horton; this version was also used for a single release by the Ames Brothers in 1951 and by Wilf Carter for his 1965 Christmas in Canada album.
Ray Conniff's version of the song, featured on his 1962 album We Wish You a Merry Christmas, helped propel the album to platinum status, one of two platinum albums in Conniff's career.
In the Ray Conniff version as part of a medley with The Little Drummer Boy; Susy wants a sled instead of a doll. Nellie wants a picture book in yellow, blue and red and her opinion of dolls are omitted (but no different than the original lyrics). The final lyrics are also changed as a child named Billy is mentioned and that Santa should give him a drum cause "he likes that best." The song then transitions into Little Drummer Boy which is similar to the Harry Simeone Chorale recording. Certain radio stations that do all Christmas radio have split the medley into two different song tracks thanks to a brief pause in the middle of the medley.
Ray Smith (June 25, 1918 – December 4, 1979) was an American country music artist. Born in Glendale, California, Smith began playing guitar at age eight. He joined a traveling rodeo show as a musician, and then took a job performing for radio station WMCA in New York City. He performed locally with a trio in New York, and also worked in Boston on WCOP's Hayloft Jamboree.
While in New York he was offered a contract recording with Columbia Records, and went on to record for London, and Coral as well. He also appeared on Dumont Television. He died in 1979 at age 61.
Jolly old Saint Nicholas lean your ear this way
Don't you tell a single soul what I'm going to say
Christmas time is coming soon now you dear old man
Whisper what you'll bring to me tell me if you can
Jingle jingle tingle tingle sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly old Saint Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
Ho-Ho-Ho jingle jingle tingle tingle tingle sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly old Saint Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
How I'd like to be with you on your midnight ride
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Comet by your side
Vixen, Blitzen, Donner to pull your magic sleigh
Cupid will be right along jingling all the way
Jingle jingle tingle tingle sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly old Saint Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
Ho-Ho-Ho jingle jingle tingle tingle tingle sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly old Saint Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
When the clock is striking twelve and I'm fast asleep
Down the chimney with your pack you will softly creep
All the stockings you will find hanging in a row
Mine will be the shortest one you'll be sure to know
Jingle jingle tingle tingle sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly old Saint Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
Ho-Ho-Ho jingle jingle jingle tingle tingle tingle sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly old Saint Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
Johnny wants a pair of skates Susie wants a dolly
Mary wants a storybook 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
Jingle jingle tingle tingle sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly old Saint Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
Ho-Ho-Ho jingle jingle jingle tingle tingle tingle sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly old Saint Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
"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. Some people have also attributed the lyrics to John Piersol McCaskey—a song editor and publisher, among other things, at the time. His great great grandson has said he wrote the song in 1867, and that the "Johnny" mentioned in the song who wants a pair of skates, is McCaskey's late son, John, who died as a child. However, there is no known evidence for this. McCaskey's own published 1881 book, Franklin Square Song Collection No. 1, a book in which proper attribution is given to songs' lyricists and composers, does not list himself as having had anything to do with the song.
The music is generally believed to have been written by James R. Murray. The first publication of the music was in 1874 in School Chimes, A New School Music Book by S. Brainard's Sons, and attributes the music to him. The 1881 publication by McCaskey gives attribution to the S. Brainard's Sons publication, which would mean Murray.
Some notable recordings were by Ray Smith in 1949, Chet Atkins in 1961, Eddy Arnold in 1962, The Chipmunks in 1963, Andy Williams in 1995, Anne Murray in 2001, and Carole King in 2017.
The Ray Smith 1949 version was revised, rearranged, and had additional lyrics credited to songwriter Vaughn Horton; this version was also used for a single release by the Ames Brothers in 1951 and by Wilf Carter for his 1965 Christmas in Canada album.
Ray Conniff's version of the song, featured on his 1962 album We Wish You a Merry Christmas, helped propel the album to platinum status, one of two platinum albums in Conniff's career.
In the Ray Conniff version as part of a medley with The Little Drummer Boy; Susy wants a sled instead of a doll. Nellie wants a picture book in yellow, blue and red and her opinion of dolls are omitted (but no different than the original lyrics). The final lyrics are also changed as a child named Billy is mentioned and that Santa should give him a drum cause "he likes that best." The song then transitions into Little Drummer Boy which is similar to the Harry Simeone Chorale recording. Certain radio stations that do all Christmas radio have split the medley into two different song tracks thanks to a brief pause in the middle of the medley.
Ray Smith (June 25, 1918 – December 4, 1979) was an American country music artist. Born in Glendale, California, Smith began playing guitar at age eight. He joined a traveling rodeo show as a musician, and then took a job performing for radio station WMCA in New York City. He performed locally with a trio in New York, and also worked in Boston on WCOP's Hayloft Jamboree.
While in New York he was offered a contract recording with Columbia Records, and went on to record for London, and Coral as well. He also appeared on Dumont Television. He died in 1979 at age 61.
Jolly old Saint Nicholas lean your ear this way
Don't you tell a single soul what I'm going to say
Christmas time is coming soon now you dear old man
Whisper what you'll bring to me tell me if you can
Jingle jingle tingle tingle sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly old Saint Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
Ho-Ho-Ho jingle jingle tingle tingle tingle sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly old Saint Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
How I'd like to be with you on your midnight ride
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Comet by your side
Vixen, Blitzen, Donner to pull your magic sleigh
Cupid will be right along jingling all the way
Jingle jingle tingle tingle sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly old Saint Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
Ho-Ho-Ho jingle jingle tingle tingle tingle sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly old Saint Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
When the clock is striking twelve and I'm fast asleep
Down the chimney with your pack you will softly creep
All the stockings you will find hanging in a row
Mine will be the shortest one you'll be sure to know
Jingle jingle tingle tingle sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly old Saint Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
Ho-Ho-Ho jingle jingle jingle tingle tingle tingle sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly old Saint Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
Johnny wants a pair of skates Susie wants a dolly
Mary wants a storybook 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
Jingle jingle tingle tingle sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly old Saint Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
Ho-Ho-Ho jingle jingle jingle tingle tingle tingle sleigh bells in the snow
It's Jolly old Saint Nicholas and his reindeer don't you know
