Up on the Housetop ✧
A cheerful six-note Christmas song, all within the first octave.
Sheet music
Tap a staff note or finger tab to hear it.
Verse
Chorus
D whistle · D major · 4/4 · 120 BPM · + upper octave
Verse
Chorus
Lyrics
Benjamin Hanby · 1864
Sing the chorus after each verse. The final verse retains the original whistle-and-ball wording.
Up on the housetop reindeer pause, Out jumps good old Santa Claus. Down thru the chimney with lots of toys, All for the little ones' Christmas joys.
Chorus Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go! Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go! Up on the housetop, click, click, click! Down thru the chimney with Good Saint Nick.
First comes the stocking of little Nell, Oh, dear Santa fill it well. Give her a dolly that laughs and cries, One that will open and shut her eyes.
Now comes the stocking of little Will, Oh, just see what a glorious fill. Here is a hammer and lots of tacks, A whistle and a ball and a whip that cracks!
About this tune
Up on the Housetop was written by Benjamin Hanby. The song follows Santa’s arrival on the roof and his journey down the chimney with presents.
Its verse and chorus share lively repeated-note patterns. The refrain’s short, emphatic calls give the story a playful energy and invite everyone to join in.
Performances
Watch musicians play this tune on tin whistle. Keys and arrangements may differ from the tabs above.
Up on the Housetop on tin whistle
Claire Gutridge
A short, unaccompanied tin whistle performance.
Watch on YouTube — Up on the Housetop on tin whistle by Claire Gutridge (opens in a new tab) ↗