Who wrote 'Jolly Old Saint Nicholas'?
It is believed that the song Jolly Old Saint Nicholas' started life as the poem 'Lilly's Secret by Emily Huntington Miller, which was first published in December 1865. However it has also been attributed to Benjamin Hanby, who wrote a similar song in the 1860s and John Piersol McCaskey
It was set to music by American composer James R. Murray in around 1874, who also composed a popular arrangement for the carol 'Away in a Manger'
'Jolly Old Saint Nicholas' lyrics
Jolly old Saint Nicholas Lean your ear this way; Don't you tell a single soul What I'm going to say, Christmas Eve is coming soon; Now you dear old man, Whisper what you'll bring to me; Tell me if you can. When the clock is striking twelve, When I'm fast asleep, Down the 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 to know. Johnny wants a pair of skates; Susy wants a dolly Nellie wants a story book, She thinks dolls are folly As for me, my little brain Isn't very bright; Choose for me, dear Santa Claus, What you think is right.