Twelve Days (Before) Christmas

Day 3 - Here Comes Santa Claus

Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) is a popular Christmas song written and originally performed by Gene Autry, with music composed by Oakley Haldeman. Autry's original recording (in which he pronounces Santa Claus as "Santy Claus") was a top-10 hit on the pop and country charts in 1947; the song would go on to be covered many times in subsequent decades. Autry got the idea for the song after riding his horse in the 1946 Santa Claus Lane Parade (now the Hollywood Christmas Parade) in Los Angeles. As he passed by, the crowd of spectators chanted, "Here comes Santa Claus." This was the inspiration for Autry's lyrics, which Haldeman then set to music. Autry's lyrics combine two veins of the Christmas tradition: the mythology of Santa Claus, and the Christian origin of the holiday, with its mention of the nativity's promise of "Peace on Earth" to all those who "follow the light." (thanks to Wikipedia!)

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus,

Right down Santa Claus lane

Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeers'

Pullin' on the reins.

Bells are ringin', children singin'

All is merry and bright

So Hang your stockings and say your prayers

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight!

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus

Right down Santa Claus lane

He's got a bag that's filled with toys

For boys and girls again

Hear those sleigh bells, jingle, jangle

Oh, what a beautiful sight

So Jump in bed, and cover your head

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus

Right down Santa Claus lane

He doesn't care if you're rich or poor

He loves you just the same

Santa Claus knows we're all God's children

That makes everything right

So fill your hearts with Christmas cheer

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus

Right down Santa Claus lane

He'll come around when chimes ring out

That it's Christmas morn again

Peace on earth will come to all

If we just follow the light

So Let's give thanks to the Lord above

'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight

Here Comes Santa Claus - Gene Autry (1947)

Here Comes Santa Claus - The Puppini Sisters

Here Comes Santa Claus - Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters (1949)

Here Comes Santa Claus - Elvis Presley (1957)