Holiday-Song Book

Holiday Song Book 1
With Word Help by Elizabeth Claire

and Illustrations by Dave Nicholson
Contents
• Over the River and Through the Woods • O Come, All Ye Faithful!
• The Dreidel Song • Joy to the World
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas • Deck the Halls
• Jingle Bells • God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
• O Christmas Tree • Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town • The First Noel
• Here Comes Santa Claus • It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
• Ho! Ho! Ho! Who Wouldn’t Go? • Away in a Manger
• Silent Night • O Holy Night
• Auld Lang Syne
Songs are in the public domain and may be reproduced for your classes.
Holiday Song Book, available at www.Elizabethclaire.com
2
Over the River and Through the Woods
Over the river and through the woods

To Grandmother’s house we go. Spring* over the ground
Like a hunting hound*
The horse knows the way On this Thanksgiving Day, Hey!
To carry the sleigh*
Through the white and drifted* snow, Over the river and through the
woods
Oh! Over the river and through the Now Grandmother’s face I spy*.
woods
Oh, how the wind does blow. Hurrah for the fun,
Is the pudding* done?
It stings* the nose Hurray for the pumpkin pie.
And bites the toes
As over the ground we go.
Over the river and through the woods

Trot* fast my dapple gray*.
sleigh noun. A wagon on long, flat “skis” (run- spring verb. To leap; to jump easily.
ners), not on wheels, used for traveling over snow hound noun. A dog.
or ice. spy verb. To see.
drifted adjective. Piled up by the wind. pudding noun. A dessert made with milk or cream.
sting verb. Feels like a bite.
trot verb. To run at medium speed.
dapple gray noun. A gray horse.

3
The Dreidel Song
I have a little dreidel* Oh - dreidel, dreidel, dreidel

I made it out of clay* I made it out of clay
And when it’s dry and ready And when it’s dry and ready
Then dreidel I shall play! Then dreidel I shall play!
Oh - dreidel, dreidel, dreidel My dreidel’s always playful

I made it out of clay It loves to dance and spin*
And when it’s dry and ready A happy game of dreidel
Then dreidel I shall play! Come play now, let’s begin!
It has a lovely body Oh - dreidel, dreidel, dreidel

With legs so short and thin I made it out of clay
And when my dreidel’s tired And when it’s dry and ready
It drops* and then I win! Then dreidel I shall play!
dreidel noun. A toy top with Hebrew letters on it, used

in a children’s game.
clay noun. A type of mud that gets hard when it dries.
it drops expression. When the dreidel stops spinning.
spin verb. To turn around and around fast.

4
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.

5
Jingle Bells
Dashing* through the snow

In a one-horse open sleigh*
Over the fields* we go

Laughing all the way.
Bells on Bobtail* ring

Making spirits* bright
What fun it is to ride and sing

A sleighing* song tonight.
Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride

In a one-horse open sleigh, Oh!
Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride

In a one-horse open sleigh.
dash verb. To move quickly.

open sleigh [slay] noun phrase. A wagon on skis.
fields noun plural. Land where farmers grow crops.
(covered with snow in winter).
Bobtail noun. The name of the horse with a short
tail.
spirits noun plural. Good feelings.
sleighing adjective. Having to do with sleighs

6
O* Christmas Tree
O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches*.
They’re green
when summer days are bright,
They’re green
when winter snow is white,
O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches.
(This song is translated from O Tannenbaum a

German Christmas song. There are other trans-
lations, and other verses of the song. )
O This word means that the singer or speaker is

talking to or about the person or object that follows
the word O.
branches noun plural. The parts of trees that grow
out of the main trunk.

7
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Oh! You’d better watch out,

You’d better not cry,
You’d better not pout*,
I’m telling you why:
Santa Claus is coming to town!
He’s making a list,

He’s checking it twice,
He’s gonna* find out
Who’s naughty* or nice.
Santa Claus is coming to town!
He sees you when you’re sleeping,

He knows when you’re awake.
He knows when you’ve been bad or good,
So be good for goodness sake*!
So...You’d better watch out,

You’d better not cry
You’d better not pout,
I’m telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming to town.
pout verb. To look sad and grumpy.

gonna verb, non-standard. A short form of going
to.
naughty adjective. Bad behavior from a child.
for goodness sake noun phrase. It’s the right thing
to do.

8
Here Comes Santa Claus
Here comes Santa Claus!

Right down Santa Claus Lane*!
Vixen* and Blitzen* and all his reindeer*

Are pulling on the reins*.
Bells are ringing, children singing;

All is merry* and bright.
Hang your stockings and say your prayers*,

‘Cause* Santa Claus comes tonight.

Right down Santa Claus Lane!
He’s got a bag that is filled with toys

For the boys and girls again.
Hear those sleigh bells* jingle jangle*,

Oh, what a beautiful sight.
Jump in bed, and cover up your head,

‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.
Lane noun. A road or street. prayers noun plural. Conversations with God.
Vixen and Blitzen nouns. Names of Santa’s rein- ‘Cause conjunction. Because.
deer sleigh bells noun phrase plural. Small round bells
reindeer noun plural. The animals that pull Santa’s on the sleigh.
sleigh [slay]. jingle jangle verb phrase. The noise of the bells.
reins noun, plural. The long leather straps that
Santa uses to drive the reindeer.
merry adjective. Happy, having fun.

9
Ho, Ho, Ho! Who Wouldn’t Go?
Up on the housetop reindeer* pause*; Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go?
Out jumps good old Santa Claus. Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go?
Down through the chimney with lots of toys,
All for the little ones’ Christmas joys Upon on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with good Saint
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go? Nick
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go?
Look in the stocking for little Will
Up on the housetop, click, click, click Oh, just see what a glorious fill*!
Down thru the chimney* with good Here is a hammer and lots of tacks*
Saint Nick* Whistle and ball and a whip* that cracks*
First comes the stocking for little Nell Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go?
Oh, dear Santa fill it well Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go?
Give her a dolly that laughs and cries
One that will open and shut her eyes Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down thru the chimney with good Saint
Nick.
reindeer noun, plural. Animals like deer. that live tacks noun plural. Small nails.
in the North. whip noun. A leather strap that can make
pause verb. To stop for a short while. a cracking noise.
chimney noun. The tall brick structure over a fire cracks verb. Makes a quick loud sound.
place to let smoke out of the house.
Saint Nick noun phrase. Santa Claus.
glorious adjective. Wonderful.
fill noun. Stockings that have been filled with toys.

10
Silent Night
Silent* night, holy* night!

All is calm*, all is bright.
‘Round yon* Virgin*, Mother and Child.

Holy infant* so tender* and mild*,
Sleep in heavenly* peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds* quake* at the sight.
Glories* stream* from heaven afar*

Heavenly hosts* sing Alleluia,
Christ the Saviour* is born!
Christ the Saviour is born.
silent adjective. Quiet; still. shepherds noun plural. People who take care of
holy adjective. Blessed by God. sheep.
calm adjective. Peaceful; nothing is moving. quake verb. Shake from fear or amazement.
yon adjective. Over there; yonder. glories noun plural. Beautiful sights.
virgin noun. Mary, the Mother of God. stream verb. Shine; move like a river.
infant noun. Baby. afar adverb. Far away.
tender adjective. Gentle, sweet. hosts noun plural. Angels.
mild adjective. Not crying, loving. Alleluia noun. Thanks to God.
heaven noun. Home of God and the angels. Saviour noun. A person who saves others from
heavenly adjective. From Heaven; sweet and death or Hell.
gentle; calm.

11
O Come, All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye* faithful*,

Joyful and triumphant*!
O come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold* him

Born the king of angels*.
O come, let us adore* him,

O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ* the Lord.
ye pronoun, plural. Old form for you.

faithful adjective. Who believe in God.
triumphant adjective. Winning.
behold verb. Look at.
angels noun plural. God’s messengers.
adore verb. Worship; praise.
Christ noun. The Son of God who came to save
the world.

12
Joy to the World
Joy to the world! The Lord is come*.

Let Earth receive her King*.
Let ev’ry* heart

Prepare Him room,
And heaven* and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and heaven
And nature sing.
The Lord is come: the King or ruler has come.

King noun. Jesus Christ.
ev’ry adjective. contraction for every
heaven noun. Home of god and the angels.

13
Deck the Halls
Deck the halls* with boughs* of holly*

Fa la la la la la la la la
‘Tis* the season to be jolly*

Don* we now our gay apparel*,

Troll* the ancient* yuletide* carol*

Fa la la la la l a la la la
See the blazing* yule* before us

Fa la la la la l a la la la
Strike* the harp* and join the chorus*

Follow me in merry measure*

While I sing of Yuletide treasure*

Deck verb. Decorate. ancient adjective. From long ago.

halls noun plural. Rooms. yuletide adjective. Christmas time.
boughs noun plural. Branches. carols noun plural. Songs about Christmas.
holly noun. An evergreen tree that has broad blazing adjective. Firy.; burning brightly.
leaves. yule noun. Large log in the fire.
‘Tis contraction. It is. Strike verb. Start playing.
jolly adjective. Happy. harp noun. Musical instrument.
Don verb. Put on clothing. join the chorus verb phrase. Start singing with a
gay apparel noun phrase. Colorful clothing. big group of singers.
Troll verb. Sing. merry measure noun. Part of a song.

14
God Rest Ye* Merry, Gentlemen
God rest ye merry*, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay*.
Remember, Christ, our Saviour*
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan’s* power
When we were gone astray*
O tidings* of comfort* and joy*,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
ye pronoun, plural. Old form for you. things.

rest you merry verb phrase. Stay in good spirits; tidings noun plural. Greetings; messages.
stay happy. comfort noun. Good feelings, being easy and
dismay noun. Make sad. (Let nothing make you relaxed.
sad.) joy noun. Happiness.
Saviour noun. Jesus, who saved people from death
and Hell.
Satan noun. The devil; the evil one.
astray adverb. Far from the correct way of doing

15
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark*! The herald* angels* sing,

“Glory* to the newborn* King*!”
“Peace on earth, and mercy* mild*,

God and sinners* reconciled*.”
Joyful, all ye* nations, rise,

Join the triumph* of the skies;
With angelic* host* proclaim*,

“Christ is born in Bethlehem*.”
Hark! The herald angels sing,

“Glory to the newborn King!”
Hark verb. Listen! reconciled verb. Forgiven by God.

herald adjective. Bringing news. ye pronoun, plural. Old form for you.
angels noun plural. God’s messengers. triumph noun. Winning; victory.
Glory noun. Greatest good wishes. angelic adjective. Of angels.
newborn adjective. Just-born baby. host noun. A large number.
King noun. Savior; Jesus Christ. proclaim verb. Say officially.
mercy noun. Forgiveness. Bethlehem noun. A town in Judea, (part of the
mild adjective. Gentle, peaceful. Roman Empire then), now Israel.
sinners noun plural. People who break God’s laws.

16
The First Noel
The First Noel*,

the Angels did say,
Was to certain* poor shepherds* in fields* as they lay*
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep*

On a cold winter’s night that was so deep*.
No--el,
No--el,
No--el
No--el!
Born is the King of Israel*!

Born is the King of Israel!
Noel noun. Christmas; birth of Jesus. King of Israel noun phrase. Jesus Christ.
certain verb. To assure; to protect from fear.
shepherds noun plural. People who take care of
sheep.
fields noun plural. Flat, treeless grassland.
lay verb. Past form of lie (on the ground).
keeping their sheep verb phrase. Watching over
their sheep.
deep adjective. Strong; intense.

17
Away In A Manger
Away in a manger*, no crib* for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet* head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,

The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.
The cattle* are lowing*, the baby awakes,

But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love Thee*, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky

And stay by my cradle*
‘Til* morning is nigh*.
manger noun. A wooden box that holds food for

animals.
crib noun. Baby’s bed.
sweet adjective. Lovable.
cattle noun. Cows, plural.
lowing verb. Making a mooing sound.
Thee pronoun. You.
cradle noun. Baby’s bed.
‘til adverb. Until.
nigh adverb. Close, near.

18
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
It came upon a midnight clear*,

That glorious song* of old,
From angels* bending near the earth,

To touch their harps* of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will* to men,

From heaven’s all-gracious* King.”
The world in solemn* stillness* lay,

To hear the angels sing.
midnight clear noun phrase. A night with no stillness noun. Complete quiet.
clouds in the sky.
glorious song noun phrase. Famous old story.
angels noun plural. God’s messengers.
harps noun plural. Angels’ musical instruments.
good will noun phrase. Feeling of kindness, and
intention of doing good things.
all-gracious adjective. Forgiving.
solemn adjective. Serious, quiet.

19
O Holy Night
O Holy* Night
The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's* birth.
Long lay* the world in sin* and error* pining*.

Till He appeared and the soul* felt its worth.
A thrill of hope
The weary* world rejoices,
For yonder* breaks
A new and glorious morn*.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!

O night divine*, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine!
O night! O night divine!
Holy adjective. Sacred; special to God. weary adjective. Very tired.

Saviour noun. Jesus Christ; person who saves oth- yonder adverb. Over there.
ers from death or Hell. morn noun. Morning.
lay verb. Stayed. divine adjective. Having to do with God.
sin noun. Bad actions against God’s laws.
error noun. Mistakes about God.
pining verb. Being sad.
soul noun. The part of a person that does not die
when the body dies.

20
Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance* be forgot

And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And days of auld lang syne*?
For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne.
We'll take a cup of kindness* yet,

For auld lang syne.
auld acquaintance noun phrase. Old friends.

auld lang syne noun phrase. Days of long ago.
cup of kindness noun phrase. A glass of wine or
other alcoholic drink.

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Holiday Song Book 1

With Word Help by Elizabeth Claire

• The Dreidel Song • Joy to the World

• We Wish You a Merry Christmas • Deck the Halls

• Jingle Bells • God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

• O Christmas Tree • Hark, the Herald Angels Sing

• Santa Claus is Coming to Town • The First Noel

• Here Comes Santa Claus • It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

• Ho! Ho! Ho! Who Wouldn’t Go? • Away in a Manger

• Silent Night • O Holy Night

• Auld Lang Syne

Over the River and Through the Woods

Over the river and through the woods

Over the river and through the woods

Holiday Song Book, available at www.Elizabethclaire.com

The Dreidel Song

I have a little dreidel* Oh - dreidel, dreidel, dreidel

Oh - dreidel, dreidel, dreidel My dreidel’s always playful

It has a lovely body Oh - dreidel, dreidel, dreidel

dreidel noun. A toy top with Hebrew letters on it, used

Holiday Song Book, available at www.Elizabethclaire.com

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

And a happy New Year.

Holiday Song Book, available at www.Elizabethclaire.com

Dashing* through the snow

Over the fields* we go

Bells on Bobtail* ring

What fun it is to ride and sing

Jingle bells, jingle bells

Oh what fun it is to ride

Jingle bells, jingle bells

Oh what fun it is to ride

dash verb. To move quickly.

Holiday Song Book, available at www.Elizabethclaire.com

How lovely are your branches*.

(This song is translated from O Tannenbaum a

O This word means that the singer or speaker is

Holiday Song Book, available at www.Elizabethclaire.com

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Oh! You’d better watch out,

Santa Claus is coming to town!

He’s making a list,

Santa Claus is coming to town!

He sees you when you’re sleeping,

So...You’d better watch out,

Santa Claus is coming to town.

pout verb. To look sad and grumpy.

Holiday Song Book, available at www.Elizabethclaire.com

Here Comes Santa Claus

Here comes Santa Claus!

Vixen* and Blitzen* and all his reindeer*

Bells are ringing, children singing;

Hang your stockings and say your prayers*,

Here comes Santa Claus!

He’s got a bag that is filled with toys

Hear those sleigh bells* jingle jangle*,

Jump in bed, and cover up your head,

Holiday Song Book, available at www.Elizabethclaire.com

Ho, Ho, Ho! Who Wouldn’t Go?

Holiday Song Book, available at www.Elizabethclaire.com

Silent* night, holy* night!

Hark! The herald angels* sing,

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,