"Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire"
In 1946, Mel Torme known as "The Velvet Fog" made the holiday
season considerably brighter with the song he wrote (with lyrics by his friend Robert Wells) about the indoor and outdoor joys of the Yuletide
season. It was "The Christmas Song," also frequently called by its
first name "chestnuts roasting on an open fire." Jack Frost, carolers,
people dressed up like Eskimoes--these are a part of the outdoor fun.
Inside we have the smell of turkey roasting, tiny tots with their eyes
glowing and the promise of Santa's visit down the chimney. Nat King
Cole's 1946 recording of the song has become a perennial Christmas classic. (Text from The Reader's Digest Merry Christmas Songbook)
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimoes.
Ev'rybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright.
Tiny Tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
They know that Santa's on his way.
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh.
And ev'ry mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times many ways,
"Merry Christmas to you."