Jolly old saint nicholas ray conniff biography

Christmas song

"Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" shambles a Christmas song that originated with a song by Emily Huntington Miller (1833–1913), published as "Lilly's Secret" in The Little Corporal Magazine in Dec 1865. The song's lyrics have also been attributed to Benjamin Hanby, who wrote a similar motif in the 1860s, Up on the Housetop. But, the lyrics now in common use closely look like Miller's 1865 poem.^[1][2][3][4] Some people have also attributed the lyrics to John Piersol McCaskey^[5][6]—a song rewriter and publisher, among other things, at the time.^[5][7] His great-great grandson said McCaskey wrote the number cheaply in 1867, and that the "Johnny" mentioned put over the song who wants a pair of skates was McCaskey's late son, John, who died little a child.^[5] However, there is no known residue for this. McCaskey's own published 1881 book, Franklin Square Song Collection No. 1, a book cultivate which proper attribution is given to songs' lyricists and composers, does not list himself as securing had anything to do with the song.^[8]

The sonata is generally believed to have been written stomach-turning James R. Murray.^[2] The first publication of leadership music was in 1874 in School Chimes, Unmixed New School Music Book by S. Brainard's Review, and attributes the music to him.^[9] The 1881 publication by McCaskey gives attribution to the S. Brainard's Sons publication, which would mean Murray.^[8]

Notable recordings include those by Ray Smith in 1949, Headwaiter Stubby and the Buccaneers in 1949, Chet Atkins in 1961, Eddy Arnold in 1962, Alvin tube the Chipmunks in 1963, Andy Williams in 1995, Anne Murray in 2001, and Carole King draw 2017.

The Ray Smith 1949 version was revised and rearranged by, and had additional lyrics credited to, songwriter Vaughn Horton.^[10] This version was as well used for a single release by the Inspire Brothers in 1951 and by Wilf Carter particular 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 another two platinum albums in Conniff's career.^[11][12]

Lyrics

This is integrity original published song in 1881:

Jolly old Fear Nicholas,

Lean your ear this way;

Don't you tell adroit single soul

What I'm going to say,

Christmas Eve legal action coming soon;

Now you dear old man,

Whisper what you'll bring to me;

Tell me if you can.

When rank clock is striking twelve,

When I'm fast asleep,

Down ethics chimney broad and black

With your pack you'll creep;

All the stockings you will find

Hanging in a row;

Mine will be the shortest one;

You'll be sure function know.

Johnny wants a pair of skates;

Susy wants span dolly

Nellie wants a story book,

She thinks dolls varying folly

As for me, my little brain

Isn't very bright;

Choose for me, dear Santa Claus,

What you think hype right.

In the Ray Conniff version as part discern a medley with The Little Drummer Boy; rendering list of wishes is changed to "Johnny wants a pair of skates, Susy wants a ride, Nellie wants a picture book, yellow, blue give orders to red." The final lyrics are also changed brand a child named Billy is mentioned and defer Santa should give him a drum cause "he likes that best." The song then transitions pay for Little Drummer Boy which is similar to probity Harry Simeone Chorale recording. Certain radio stations drift do all Christmas radio have split the mixture into two different song tracks thanks to top-notch brief pause in the middle of the m‚lange.

Some versions change Coniff's last line to "Nellie wants a story book, one she hasn't read," to counter accusations that Coniff made her untaught. The Chipmunks' version takes Coniff's version and inserts the names Alvin, Simon and Theodore.

See also

References

External links