Jolly Old St Nicholas

Grade Level 1

Year: 2025

Composer: William Himes 

Program Notes:

First published in 1865, this cheery yuletide song expresses a child’s joyful anticipation of the coming of Christmas, exemplified in its opening verse: 

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. 

American Instrumental Ensemble Series (AIES/ABES)