The beloved Christmas song Up on the Housetop is believed to have been inspired by another popular piece of holiday writing.
Written by American composer Benjamin Hanby in 1864, Up on the Housetop was at least in part inspired by Clement C. Moore’s 1822 poem, A Visit From St. Nicholas (now more widely referred to as The Night Before Christmas).
Since Hanby wrote the song nearly two centuries ago, it has been performed by countless artists. Two of the more notable renditions were performed by famed singing cowboy Gene Autry in 1953 and television personality Kimberley Locke in 2005. That those two renditions were performed more than half a century apart is a testament to the enduring popularity of Up on the Housetop, which can be heard in department stores and at holiday parties throughout December.
Up on the Housetop
Up on the housetop reindeer paws, out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn’t go? Ho,ho ho! Who wouldn’t go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick
First comes the stocking of little Nell
Oh, dear Santa fill it well
Give her a dolly that laughs and cries
One that can open and shut her eyes
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick
Look in the stocking of little Bill
Oh, just see what a glorious fill
Here’s a hammer and lots of tacks
Whistling ball and a whip that cracks
Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn’t go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick
Lyrics courtesy of Lyrics.com
