Holly Jolly Christmas – English Lyrics

• By: Canaan Cox

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the festive language of this holiday classic with Canaan Cox’s energetic cover of "Holly Jolly Christmas." This song is perfect for English learners as its lyrics are simple, direct, and focused on common vocabulary related to joy and celebration (e.g., 'cheer,' 'mistletoe,' 'jolly'). The song’s upbeat Country/Pop/R&B style offers a modern, playful take that makes learning its simple, cheerful message fun and memorable.

[English]

Have a holly, jolly Christmas

It's the best time of the year

I don't know if there'll be snow

But have a cup of cheer

Have a holly, jolly Christmas

And when you walk down the street

Say hello to friends you know

And everyone you meet

Oh, ho, the mistletoe

Is hung where you can see

Somebody waits for you

Kiss her once for me

Have a holly, jolly Christmas

And in case you didn't hear

Oh by golly, have a holly

Jolly Christmas this year

Oh, ho, the mistletoe

Is hung where you can see

Somebody waits for you

Kiss her once for me

Have a holly, jolly Christmas

And in case you didn't hear

Oh by golly, have a holly

Jolly Christmas this year

Oh by golly, have a holly

Jolly Christmas this year

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
holly /ˈhɒli/ B1	noun - a prickly evergreen shrub with red berries, often used in Christmas decorations.
jolly /ˈdʒɒli/ A2	adjective - cheerful and happy.
best /bɛst/ A2	adjective - of the highest quality, excellence, or desirability.
snow /snəʊ/ A1	noun - frozen crystalline water falling as precipitation.
cheer /tʃɪər/ A2	noun - happiness and optimism.
walk /wɔːk/ A1	verb - to move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn.
street /striːt/ A1	noun - a public road in a town or city.
friends /frɛndz/ A1	noun - people whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection.
meet /miːt/ A1	verb - to come into the presence or company of (someone).
mistletoe /ˈmɪsəltəʊ/ B2	noun - a parasitic plant with evergreen leaves and white berries, traditionally used as a Christmas decoration and associated with kissing.
wait /weɪt/ A1	verb - to remain inactive in expectation.
kiss /kɪs/ A1	verb - to touch with the lips.
hear /hɪər/ A1	verb - to perceive with the ear.
golly /ˈɡɒli/ B1	interjection - an exclamation of surprise or delight.

Key Grammar Structures

• It's the best time of the year

  ➔ Simple Present (contraction)

  ➔ The word "It's" is a contraction of "it is" used in the simple present to state a fact.

• I don't know if there'll be snow

  ➔ Negative conditional with future simple

  ➔ The phrase "don't know if" introduces a negative uncertainty, and "there'll be" is the contracted form of "there will be" (future simple).

• And when you walk down the street

  ➔ Time clause with 'when' + present simple

  ➔ "when" introduces a time reference; the verb "walk" stays in the present simple because the clause talks about a habitual or future action.

• Say hello to friends you know

  ➔ Imperative sentence

  ➔ "Say" is the base form of the verb used to give a direct command or suggestion.

• Somebody waits for you

  ➔ Simple present for a factual statement

  ➔ "waits" is in the simple present, showing a regular or current situation.

• Kiss her once for me

  ➔ Imperative with direct object

  ➔ "Kiss" is the base verb, and "her" is the direct object receiving the action.

• In case you didn't hear

  ➔ Conditional clause with past simple

  ➔ "In case" introduces a precautionary condition; "didn't hear" uses the simple past to refer to a possible past situation that may affect the present.

• Oh by golly, have a holly / Jolly Christmas this year

  ➔ Imperative with colloquial interjection

  ➔ "Oh by golly" is a colloquial interjection adding emphasis; the main clause "have a holly / Jolly Christmas" is an imperative urging the listener to enjoy the holiday.