Up on the Housetop

Gene Autry

About Up on the Housetop

"Up on the Housetop" is a Christmas song written by Benjamin Hanby in 1864. It has been recorded by a multitude of singers, most notably Gene Autry in 1953.


Year:
1989
2:48
9,479 
#8

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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

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Gene Autry

Orvon Grover Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998), better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as a singing cowboy on the radio, in movies, and on television for more than three decades beginning in the early 1930s. Autry was also owner of a television station, several radio stations in Southern California, and the Los Angeles/California/Anaheim Angels Major League Baseball team from 1961 to 1997. more »

7 fans

Written by: Carl Cotner, Traditional

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


19 facts about this song

Historical Context
"Up on the Housetop" was originally written by Benjamin Hanby in 1864, making it one of the oldest secular Christmas songs in the western music canon. Gene Autry's popular rendition helped to further cement its place in Christmas music tradition.
Creator
Country singer Gene Autry, often referred to as the "Singing Cowboy," recorded a classic version of "Up on the Housetop." Autry was a significant figure in country music, and he also helped popularize other Christmas songs, like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Here Comes Santa Claus."
Song's Popularity
Although not among his highest charting songs, Autry's rendition of "Up on The Housetop" is a beloved holiday classic that has continued to receive airplay each Christmas season since it was first recorded.
Musical Style
This song is a perfect representation of Autry's signature musical style, blending elements of country and pop for a sound that was accessible to a wide range of listeners in his time. This approach also made it perfect for Christmas songs, which are intended to appeal to a broad audience.
Lyrics
The lyrics of the song "Up on the Housetop." are about Santa Claus arriving on Christmas Eve. The song's lyrics tell of Santa landing on the roof of a home with a sack full of toys.
Santa Claus Influence
Autry's version of "Up on the Housetop" contributed to the perception of Santa Claus, particularly with the line, "Up on the housetop, reindeer pause / Out jumps good old Santa Claus." His version remains one of the most popular and frequently played versions of the song.
Educational Content
"Up on the Housetop" is often used in elementary schools during the winter season to introduce students to the historical and cultural aspects of Christmas music.
Gene Autry's Christmas Album
"Up on the Housetop" is featured in Autry's Christmas album named "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer And Other Christmas Classics," which is immensely popular and includes many other holiday classics.
Availability
"Up on the Housetop" by Gene Autry is readily available on key music streaming platforms such as Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music, as well as on YouTube.
Release Information
"Up on the Housetop" was recorded by Gene Autry in 1953, and it was later included on his album "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" which was released in 1957.
Song Background
This track is Gene Autry's version of a popular Christmas song, originally composed by Benjamin Hanby in 1864. It is considered one of the first completely American Christmas songs.
Lyrics Details
Unlike many versions of "Up on the Housetop," Autry's rendition includes a verse about Santa filling the stockings and then going back up the chimney - which isn't always included in contemporary performances.
Chart Performance
Even though it was recorded in the 1950s, Autry's version of the song remains well-loved. The song didn't chart upon its initial release, but it has since become a holiday classic, frequently played during the holiday season.
Artist's Legacy
Gene Autry is often recognized for his contributions to the holiday music genre. In addition to "Up on the Housetop," he also popularized "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Frosty the Snowman," and "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town."
Popular Culture
Autry's "Up on the Housetop" has been featured in various forms of media over the years, including television commercials, film soundtracks, and holiday radio programming.
Songwriting Origin
Interestingly, the songwriter of "Up on the Housetop," Benjamin Hanby, wrote the song inspired by the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (also known as "The Night Before Christmas").
Timeless Appeal
Autry's rendition of "Up on the Housetop" captures the timeless appeal of the song with its joyful melody and lyrics about Santa Claus's surprise visit on Christmas Eve.
Multi-talented Artist
Apart from recording songs, Gene Autry was also a famous actor who starred in many Western films during the 1930s and 1940s, and even owned a television and radio station in the United States.
Instrumentation in the Song
In the Gene Autry rendition of "Up on the Housetop," listeners can hear a combination of acoustic guitar, bass, and percussions, complementing Autry's signature country-style vocals perfectly.

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