# Have you heard of the Christmas song "Up On the Housetop?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 10, 2009, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717 "2009-12-10T13:16:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/21 "2009-12-10T15:43:33Z")
I’m younger than Rudolph and Frosty but older than the Chipmunks, and I’ve always loved Christmas music, but I only know this song from the Saturday Night Live skit where Chevy Chase admits to his family that he’s an elf. ---
**Author:** ![DirkGntly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DirkGntly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirkGntly)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/22 "2009-12-10T15:55:52Z")
The original is “Up on the Housetop” and was written in 1864 by Benjamin Hanby - not “Up on the Rooftop” - which I expect is a modern change to either appeal to kids that don’t live in houses, or to avoid some kind of copyright issues. The most familiar version was recorded in 1952 (or '53 - reports vary) by Gene Autry. This is the most popular radio version, followed closely by the cover by the Jackson 5. Of note, Gene Autry wrote “Here Comes Santa Claus,” and his versions of “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” are responsible for making those characters part of the modern Christmas celebration experience. Also of note, “Rudolph” was the first #1 hit of the 1950’s. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/23 "2009-12-10T16:00:04Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > “Housetop”? N-n-no, it’s _roof_top. I’ve never heard “housetop,” only “rooftop” but other than that, I think I hear this song all the time. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/24 "2009-12-10T16:26:09Z")
I’ve only heard “rooftop,” but it’s the same song. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/25 "2009-12-10T16:31:54Z")
I’ve always heard it as “housetop.” One of my favorite memories of my niece’s childhood was when we attended a concert in which she and her classmates performed the song. Cute as can be. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/26 "2009-12-10T16:38:32Z")
I vaguely remember it from orchestra class. And I was about to say I thought it was rooftop but then thought I was confusing it with the Drifters song. I’m not insane. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/27 "2009-12-10T16:39:26Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > “Housetop”? N-n-no, it’s _roof_top. BUZZZZ! Housetop…and it looks like a Mondrageen song Up on the house top reindeers paused (or pause, but NOT paws) Out jumps good old Santa Claus Down through the chimney with lots of toys All part of a little ones with 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 the good St. Nick Ho ho ho, who wouldn’t go? Ho ho ho, who wouldn’t go? Up on the house top, click click click Down through the chimney with good St. Nick Look through the stop in the middle bell Hope just sees what a glorious well Here’s a little hammer and lots of tacks A whistle and a ball and wood _clap clap_ Ho ho ho who would’t go? Ho ho ho who wouldn’t go? Up on the house top, click click click Down through the chimney with good St. Nick Ho oh ho who wouldn’t go? Ho ho ho who wouldn’t go? Up on the house top, click click click Down through the chimney with good St. Nick (repeat this line once again) ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/28 "2009-12-10T16:59:59Z")
I have an old Disney Christmas Sing-Along videotape we play every year, it is charming as all get-out. Christmas carols sung with a background of old Disney cartoons from waaaaay long ago. My very favorite is with animated toys (made, I think, in the 30’s or 40’s) and a children’s choir singing Up On the Housetop. It actually makes me tear up, it’s so sweet. All the songs are sweet. Cartoons made in a simpler more innocent time. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/29 "2009-12-10T16:59:59Z")
> [@ministryman](#): > > All part of a little ones with Christmas joys All for the little ones’ Christmas joys. Definitely one of the more popular **kids’** Christmas songs, judging by my childhood experience. Maybe the OP’s own childhood experience was Christmas-deprived. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/30 "2009-12-10T17:12:35Z")
I learned it from our _Sing Along With Mitch_ Christmas record. And it always annoys me when I hear Gene Autry screw up the melody when he reaches the bridge. Anyway, I call it as a minor song because I’ve never heard it covered by Nat, Frank, Bing, Johnny\*, Ray\*\*, Percy\*\*\*, or Karen. - Mathis \*\* Conniff \*\*\* Faith ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/31 "2009-12-10T17:15:05Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > This is one of those times when I’m shocked to find out what people don’t know. (No offense meant, **Mahaloth** ). I would have thought everyone in the English-speaking, Christmas-celebrating world had heard this song a jillion times. No offense taken. I’m blown away myself. I vote “no”, but who is the other “no” voter? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/32 "2009-12-10T17:18:03Z")
May I inject that I hate this song very very much? Thank you and carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/33 "2009-12-10T17:19:44Z")
Well I voted it as an obscure song because I only know it from that one music/orchestra class. I mean I think we played it one year. Granted, I never celebrated Christmas so most of my knowledge of the season comes from school, so maybe that’s why I consider most things that aren’t Jingle Bells or Deck the Halls to be obscure. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/34 "2009-12-10T17:21:29Z")
Where’s the part about “a whip that cracks?” ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/35 "2009-12-10T17:32:06Z")
Oh yeah, sang this every year in grade school. My mom had a record that had this as well. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/36 "2009-12-10T17:36:49Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > Where’s the part about “a whip that cracks?” Pretty good question. **ministryman** , did you write your post from memory, or C&P from somewhere? ETA: **Sigmagirl** , if my memory is any good it’s the line _A whistle and a ball and a whip that cracks._ ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/37 "2009-12-10T18:18:37Z")
“Up on the housetop reindeer pause. Antenna hooked poor Santa Claus.” Yeah, **Kaylasdad** , you’re right about the “whistle and ball and whip that cracks” line. Little Will made off with that haul. Although Santa must have been crazy to bring him a whip and a hammer and tacks. That’s sure to put Will on next year’s naughty list. And another part from **ministryman’s** post ought to be “First comes the stocking of little Nell. Oh, dear Santa, fill it well.” I learned it about when I was in 2nd grade. That was 45 years ago, and every kid knew it. Probably every parent did, too, from their kids singing it around the house all the time. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/38 "2009-12-10T18:32:29Z")
I definitely knew the song, but I can’t remember the last time I heard this song. FTR, I don’t listen to many xmas songs. And I remember it as “roof-top” and by “roof-top”, I always assumed it was the crown of the roof. Growing up in Vermont, Santa’s sleigh would slide off the roof if it didn’t straddle the top of the roof. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/39 "2009-12-10T18:37:17Z")
I definitely remember it as “housetop,” not “rooftop.” FWIW, “Up On the Housetop” out-Googled “Up On the Rooftop” 116,000 to 46,400, with, in addition, 149,00 for “Up On the House Top” and 128,000 for “Up On the Roof Top” (not all of which refer to the song). ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/40 "2009-12-10T18:40:36Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > That’s just silly. Roofs don’t have tops. They _are_ the top. 😛 Of course they do, it’s the very tip-top of a peaked roof. 😛 And I agree with those who say that it’s really common for kids to sing in Christmas pageants and the like, not as common as a radio play song or something for adults. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717.md?page=3)