Here's a "sung-to-the-tune of" song from a collection titled Christmas Entertainment: New Songs to Old Tunes, Fancy Drills, Acrostics, Motion Songs, Tableaux, Short Plays, Recitations in Costume. edited by Alice M. Kellogg (1897).
Time for Santa Claus
by M. Nora Boylan
(To be sung to the tune of "Ta-ra-ra, boom-de-ay.")
Now's the time for Santa Claus;
Christmas comes with loud huzzas.
Hark! the bells! Oh, hear them ring!
Ting-a-ling-ling ting-a-ling.
Chorus.—Ting-a-ling-ling ting-a-ling,
Ting-a-ling-ling ting-a-ling,
Ting-a-ling-ling ting-a-ling,
Ting-a-ling-ling ting-a-ling.
See his prancing reindeer brave,
Hear him tell them to behave—
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen,
Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen.—Chorus.
Yes, hurrah for Santa Claus!
Blow the trumpets, shout huzzas!
We'll be happy while we sing—
Ting-a-ling-ling ting-a-ling.—Chorus.
On the off-chance you're not familiar with the tune "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay," here's a recording of it sung from the sheet music, which allows you to read along.
The song is reported to have originated in the 1880s in a St. Louis brothel where it was sung by a woman named Mama Lou. It was first publicly performed in Boston for a 1891 musical review called Tuxedo. "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay" became a music hall favorite in England. Considering the tune was adapted for use by American school children by 1897, it must have been fairly popular in the U. S. and had lost its off-color connotation. The tune was resurrected in the late 1940s for the theme song of the children's program, Howdy Doody!
Stop by Buffy's Blog for the Round-Up. Then, let us all be merry! See you next week for the last Poetry Friday of 2017. How can that be?
My goodness, I haven't thought of "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay" since I was little (I think). There were funny words we sang which I don't remember, except we thought they were hilarious! Merry Christmas, Diane. "Yes, hurrah for Santa Claus!"
ReplyDeleteSo much interesting social history in one bouncy song!
DeleteMy childhood version went something along the lines of Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay, there ain't no school today, the teacher's gone away, we killed her yesterday. What delightful kids we must have been! Thanks for bringing that back--like Linda, I hadn't sung Ta-ra-ra boom-de-ay in many moons.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure we must have had some silly lyrics, too, I just can't remember them!
DeleteOh, some of it is coming back...
Delete[Name] is a friend of mine
He resembles Frankenstein
When he goes out on the street
You can smell his stinky feet.
But, I've forgotten the chorus!
"Ting-a-ling-ling" is just so gosh darn fun to sing!!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it? I've sung through the song several times and it's even more fun now that I've got the rhythm down.
DeleteFun post Diane–I remember a version of "Ta-ra-ra, boom-de-ay" that was similar to the one Buffy mentioned. I like the old sheet music too, thanks!
ReplyDeleteTrying to keep it light for the holidays!
DeleteNow this song is a definite blast from the past! I risked a brain worm and listened to a bit of it. I was unaware of its brothel history, but Buffy's version brings back some vague memories of childhood variations!
ReplyDeleteOh! I'm struggling to remember the versions we sang as children. I don't think they are reprintable here! I'd forgotten all about them-I'm not sure whether to thank you or not, lol!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I'm sure I've heard Ta-Ra-Boom De Ray before, but it's been so long I've forgotten it. I love the Christmas version!
ReplyDelete