Here Comes Santa Claus (song)

Written by:	Oakley Haldeman Gene Autry
Date:	1946

"Here Comes Santa Claus" is a Christmas song written by Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman.

Autry got the idea for the song after riding his horse, Champion, in the 1946 Santa Claus Lane Parade in Los Angeles, during which crowds of spectators chanted, "Here comes Santa Claus". This inspired him to write a song that Haldeman set to music. A demo recording was made by singer/guitarist Johnny Bond, whose recording made use of ice cubes to mimic the sound of the jingling sleigh bells. This inspired the use of real sleigh bells in Autry's own recording of the song.

Autry first recorded the song in 1947; released as a single by Columbia Records, it became a #5 country and #9 pop hit. He recorded it again for Columbia in 1953 and once more for his own Challenge Records label in 1957.

Other artists to record the song include:

• Doris Day (1949)
• Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters (1950)
• Elvis Presley (1957)
• The Ray Conniff Singers (1959)
• Alvin and the Chipmunks (1961)
• Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans (1963)
• Willie Nelson (1979)
• The Wiggles (1997)
• Billy Idol (2006)
• Dora the Explorer (2008)
• Bob Dylan (2009)
• Mariah Carey (2010).

Lyrics

Here comes Santa Claus
Here comes Santa Claus
Right down Santa Claus lane
Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeer
Pullin' on the rein

Bells are ringing children singing
All is merry and bright
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.
What a beautiful sight
Jump in bed cover up 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
For he loves you just the same

Santa knows we're all God's children
That makes everything bright
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 the chimes ring out
Then it's Christmas morn again

Peace on Earth will come to all
If we just follow the light
Let's give thanks to the Lord above
'Cause Santa Claus comes tonight

Appearances in Christmas specials

• The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
• A Chipmunk Christmas (1981)
• Disney Sing Along Songs: Very Merry Christmas Songs (1988)
• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
• The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
• Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas
• The Simpsons: "Miracle on Evergreen Terrace" (1997)
• I'll Be Home For Christmas (1998)
• The Polar Express (2004)
• Fred Claus (2007) - The 1949 version is used as a background running gag for some of the film's running time.
• The Cleveland Show: "A Cleveland Brown Christmas" (2009)

Album releases

• Christmas with the Chipmunks (1961)
• Disney Presents A Family Christmas (1980)
• Elmo Saves Christmas: Holiday Favorites (1998)
• Disney's Family Christmas Collection (2003)
• The Polar Express (2004)
• Christmas with Disney (2006)
• The Archies Christmas Album featuring Betty & Veronica (2008)
• Chipmunks Christmas (2012)