Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree – English Lyrics

• By: Brenda Lee
• Album: A Rockin’ Christmas

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the festive spirit with Brenda Lee's iconic 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree,' a cheerful and energetic classic that has brought joy to generations. Its clear, narrative lyrics about a Christmas party, caroling, and mistletoe provide an excellent and fun way to immerse yourself in English vocabulary related to holiday traditions and social gatherings. The song's simple yet evocative language makes it perfect for learners to grasp everyday expressions and cultural references associated with the Christmas season.

[English]

(singers vocalizing)

♪ Rockin' around the Christmas tree ♪

♪ At the Christmas party hop ♪

♪ Mistletoe hung where you can see ♪

♪ Every couple tries to stop ♪

♪ Rockin' around the Christmas tree ♪

♪ Let the Christmas spirit ring ♪

♪ Later we'll have some pumpkin pie ♪

♪ And we'll do some caroling ♪

♪ You will get a sentimental feeling ♪

♪ When you hear ♪

♪ Voices singing, let's be jolly ♪

♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly ♪

♪ Rockin' around the Christmas tree ♪

♪ Have a happy holiday ♪

♪ Everyone dancin' merrily ♪

♪ In the new old-fashioned way ♪

(upbeat saxophone music) (singers vocalizing)

♪ You will get a sentimental feeling ♪

♪ When you hear ♪

♪ Voices singing, let's be jolly ♪

♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly ♪

♪ Rockin' around the Christmas tree ♪

♪ Have a happy holiday ♪

♪ Everyone dancin' merrily ♪

♪ In the new old-fashioned way ♪

(singers vocalizing) (upbeat saxophone music)

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
rockin' /ˈrɒkɪn/ A2	verb - to move or sway back and forth
Christmas /ˈkrɪsməs/ A1	noun - the annual Christian festival celebrating Christ's birth, held on December 25
tree /triː/ A1	noun - a woody perennial plant, typically having a single stem or trunk growing to a considerable height and bearing lateral branches at some distance from the ground
party /ˈpɑːrti/ A1	noun - a social gathering of invited guests, typically involving eating, drinking, and entertainment
mistletoe /ˈmɪsəltəʊ/ B2	noun - a plant with white berries, traditionally used as a Christmas decoration
couple /ˈkʌpəl/ A2	noun - two people who are married or in a romantic relationship
stop /stɒp/ A1	verb - to come to an end; cease to happen
spirit /ˈspɪrɪt/ B1	noun - the nonphysical part of a person, the soul
ring /rɪŋ/ A2	verb - to sound loudly
pumpkin /ˈpʌmpkɪn/ A2	noun - a large, round, orange-yellow fruit with a thick rind
pie /paɪ/ A1	noun - a baked dish of fruit, meat, or vegetables typically with a top and base of pastry
caroling /ˈkærəlɪŋ/ B1	verb - singing Christmas carols
sentimental /ˌsɛntɪˈmɛntl/ B2	adjective - of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia
feeling /ˈfiːlɪŋ/ A2	noun - an emotional state or reaction
voices /ˈvɔɪsɪz/ A2	noun - the sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth, as speech or song
singing /ˈsɪŋɪŋ/ A1	verb - to make musical sounds with the voice
jolly /ˈdʒɒli/ B1	adjective - happy and cheerful
deck /dɛk/ B2	verb - to decorate
halls /hɔːlz/ A2	noun - a corridor in a building
holiday /ˈhɒlədeɪ/ A1	noun - a day of festivity or recreation when no work is done
dancin' /ˈdænsɪn/ A1	verb - move rhythmically to music
merrily /ˈmerɪli/ B1	adverb - in a cheerful way
fashioned /ˈfæʃənd/ B1	adjective - in a particular style

Key Grammar Structures

• Rockin' around the Christmas tree

  ➔ Present participle used as an adjective (Rockin')

  ➔ The word "Rockin'" is a shortened form of "Rocking", the present participle of the verb "rock". Here, it modifies the noun phrase "around the Christmas tree", acting as an adjective to describe the kind of Christmas tree.

• Mistletoe hung where you can see

  ➔ Relative clause with "where"

  ➔ "Where you can see" is a relative clause modifying "mistletoe". "Where" acts as a relative adverb, indicating the location where the mistletoe is hung.

• Every couple tries to stop

  ➔ Present simple tense expressing a general truth/habit

  ➔ The sentence uses the present simple tense ("tries") to describe a common occurrence at Christmas parties when mistletoe is present. It's implying that most couples will attempt to kiss under it.

• Let the Christmas spirit ring

  ➔ Imperative mood (Let + object + infinitive)

  ➔ "Let the Christmas spirit ring" is an example of the imperative mood. "Let" is used to make a request or give permission. Here it expresses a wish or encouragement for the Christmas spirit to resound or be felt strongly.

• Later we'll have some pumpkin pie

  ➔ Future tense with 'will' (shortened to 'll')

  ➔ "We'll have" is a contraction of "we will have," indicating a future action or intention.

• You will get a sentimental feeling

  ➔ Future Simple Tense (will + base form)

  ➔ "Will get" indicates something that is expected to happen in the future. In this case, hearing voices singing jolly songs is predicted to evoke a sentimental feeling.

• Deck the halls with boughs of holly

  ➔ Imperative mood (implied subject 'you')

  ➔ While the subject "you" isn't explicitly stated, the sentence is understood as a command or suggestion to decorate the halls. The base form of the verb "deck" is used, typical of imperative sentences.