# 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:** 8\ **Page:** 4
**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 12, 2009, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/61 "2009-12-12T04:29:01Z")
> [@ouryL](#): > > Is that the one that goes: > > Up on the housetop reindeer pause, > Antennae’s caught poor Santa Claus. [Yes.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11873074&postcount=37) ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/62 "2009-12-12T04:48:32Z")
I’ve heard it, but the only performance that comes to mind is excerpts in the Chevy Chase “elf” sketch on SNL from, lo, 34 years ago. [SNL Transcripts: Candice Bergen: 12/20/75: The Elf - SNL Transcripts Tonight](http://snltranscripts.jt.org/75/75helf.phtml) > [@](#): > > Teddy: [crosses to her] It’s been my secret so long, Linda. Guess I’m almost glad you found out. [puts a hand on her shoulder - she shrugs it off - he moves to the sofa and crouches upon it] It’s like some relief after all these years … for somebody to finally realize and know that I’m - I’m a … > > Linda: [upset] Latent elf?! Is that what you’re trying to say?! > > Teddy: Yes, I’m an elf! I’m an elf and I’m proud of it! Now, maybe you’ll understand what I was doing with all those eight by tens of Santa’s helpers over my bed. > > Linda: [despairingly] How did it start, Teddy? How did it happen? You were always a red-blooded American boy going off to football practice! > > Teddy: Only I wouldn’t go off to football practice! [quietly] I’d go off to some leafy glade and make merry. … I don’t want to talk about it. > > Linda: All right. [joins him on sofa] So this is why you never got married. > > Teddy: Oh, I could have gotten married. Lots of us get married, lead perfectly normal lives, have children. [sits on the back of the sofa, puts a leg up on the sofa’s arm, exposing his leotard-clad crotch] > > Linda: Would you mind being a little more discreet? I can see your bells. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/63 "2009-12-12T04:55:13Z")
deleted – the elephant shrew stole my Donner 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Docta\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Docta\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Docta_G)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/64 "2009-12-12T05:16:25Z")
Hasn’t everyone? ---
**Author:** ![CJJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/65 "2009-12-12T06:10:12Z")
My guess is this is easily the oldest popular song about Santa Claus (though re-using a lot of the imagery from Clement CLark Moore’s poem). It may even be the source of Santa’s famous “Ho Ho Ho!” laugh. ANy thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/66 "2009-12-12T06:40:43Z")
I learned it as “rooftop.” I also didn’t realize it was as common as it is. The only reason I know it is because it was in one of my piano lessons Christmas-edition books when I was a wee lad. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it sung. edit: Just asked my SO, and played her a Youtube version of it. She’s never heard of it. ---
**Author:** ![Leiko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Leiko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leiko)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/67 "2009-12-12T09:44:53Z")
When I read the thread title, I immediately knew what song you meant, but when I read the lyrics I realized I only know the refrain. I find that odd. ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717/68 "2009-12-12T13:09:45Z")
I think it’s a minor-ly common Christmas song, I don’t hear it often. But I had heard it enough that I instantly recognized the lyrics and rhythm when Santa sang it, lounge-style, in the second Christmas episode of South Park. Right before he realized that there are very few songs that mention himself, and a ton that mention his singing partner, Jesus. Seriously, that guy gets ALL the attention this time of year. > **[South Park | South Park - Watch Full Episodes, Clips & More | South Park...](https://southpark.cc.com/seasons/south-park)** > > Relive the dawn of the South Park era, with legendary episodes of the groundbreaking, Emmy® Award-winning animated classic. Follow everyone's favorite troublemakers—Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny--from the very beginning of their unforgettable... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-heard-of-the-christmas-song-up-on-the-housetop/520717.md?page=3)