The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)

• By: Michael Bublé
• Album: Christmas (Deluxe Special Edition)

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
chestnuts /ˈtʃes.nʌts/ B1	noun - smooth brown nuts that can be eaten
roasting /ˈroʊ.stɪŋ/ B1	verb - cooking food by dry heat in an oven or over a fire
fire /ˈfaɪər/ A1	noun - the state of burning that produces heat and light
frost /frɒst/ B1	noun - a thin, white layer of ice that forms when it is very cold
nipping /ˈnɪpɪŋ/ B2	verb - to bite or squeeze (something) sharply
carols /ˈkærəlz/ B1	noun - religious folk songs or popular hymns, particularly associated with Christmas
sung /sʌŋ/ A2	verb - past participle of sing
choir /ˈkwaɪər/ B1	noun - a group of people who sing together
dressed /drest/ A2	verb - to put clothes on
mistletoe /ˈmɪsəltoʊ/ B2	noun - a plant with white berries, traditionally used as a Christmas decoration
season /ˈsiː.zən/ A2	noun - one of the four periods of the year: spring, summer, autumn, and winter
bright /braɪt/ B2	adjective - giving out or reflecting a lot of light; shining
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - the organs of sight
aglow /əˈɡloʊ/ C1	adjective - glowing; radiant.
sleep /sliːp/ A1	verb - to rest with your eyes closed
toys /tɔɪz/ A1	noun - an object for children to play with
sleigh /sleɪ/ B1	noun - a vehicle mounted on runners for use in winter on snow or ice
reindeer /ˈreɪn.dɪər/ B1	noun - a deer with large antlers, native to Arctic regions.
fly /flaɪ/ A1	verb - to move through the air using wings
merry /ˈmeri/ B1	adjective - cheerful and lively

Grammar:

• Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

  ➔ Present Participle as Adjective

  ➔ The word "roasting" is a present participle acting as an adjective describing the "chestnuts". It indicates an ongoing action.

• Jack Frost nipping at your nose

  ➔ Present Participle with a Noun

  ➔ "Nipping" is a present participle used to describe the action of "Jack Frost". This creates a vivid image.

• Yuletide carols being sung by a choir

  ➔ Present Continuous Passive

  ➔ "Being sung" shows a passive action (carols being sung, not singing) that's happening in progress.

• Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe

  ➔ Noun clause as object (that clause implied)

  ➔ The sentence could be read as 'Everybody knows *that* a turkey and some mistletoe...'. The clause after 'knows' is the object of the verb.

• Will help to make the season bright

  ➔ Future Simple with infinitive of purpose

  ➔ "Will help" is the future simple tense. "To make" is an infinitive of purpose, explaining *why* the turkey and mistletoe will help.

• Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow

  ➔ Prepositional Phrase with Adjective

  ➔ "With their eyes all aglow" is a prepositional phrase modifying "tiny tots", describing the state of their eyes. "Aglow" functions as an adjective.

• To see if reindeer really know how to fly

  ➔ Indirect Question with 'if'

  ➔ The clause "if reindeer really know how to fly" is an indirect question acting as the object of the verb "see". It expresses doubt or uncertainty.

• Although it's been said many times, many ways

  ➔ Adverbial Clause of Concession with Past Perfect Passive

  ➔ "Although" introduces a clause of concession. "It's been said" is in the present perfect passive voice, indicating that the action of saying has already happened multiple times before now. The past perfect passive voice emphasises the completion of the action prior to the main clause.