Christmas In New Orleans – English Lyrics

• By: John Legend
• Album: A Legendary Christmas

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the unique charm of a New Orleans Christmas through John Legend's soulful and jazzy rendition of this holiday classic. This song is a wonderful opportunity to learn festive vocabulary and immerse yourself in the rich cultural imagery of an American city celebrated for its music. The lyrics paint a vivid picture that's different from the usual snow-filled Christmas carols, making it a special and memorable way to experience both the English language and a different side of holiday traditions.

[English]

Ah

Magnolia trees at night

Sparkling bright

Fields of cotton look wintery white

When it's Christmas time

In New Orleans

A barefoot choir in prayer

Fills the air

Mississippi folks

Are gathering there

When it's Christmas time

In New Orleans

You'll see a dixieland Santa Claus

Leading the band

To a good old Creole beat

And golly what a spirit

You can only hear it

Down on Basin Street

Your cares will disappear

When you hear

Hallelujah St. Nicholas is here

When it's Christmas time

In New Orleans

Ah, you'll see

A dixieland Santa Claus

Leading the band

To a good old Creole beat

And golly what a spirit

You can only hear it

Down on Basin Street

Your cares will disappear

When you hear

Hallelujah old St. Nicholas is here

When it's Christmas time

In New Orleans

It's Christmas time in

Heey, feel so good in New Orleans

With this Christmas time in New Orleans

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
magnolia /mæˈɡnoʊliə/ B2	noun - a flowering tree native to the Americas and Asia, known for its large, fragrant blossoms
Christmas /ˈkrɪsməs/ A2	noun - the Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed on December 25
New Orleans /nuː ˈɔːrlɪnz/ B1	proper noun - a major port city in the state of Louisiana, United States, known for its music, cuisine and Mardi‑Gras celebrations
choir /ˈkwaɪər/ B1	noun - a group of singers who perform together, often in a church or concert setting
prayer /prɛər/ A2	noun - a solemn request or expression of thanks addressed to a deity
Mississippi /ˌmɪsɪˈsɪpi/ B1	proper noun - the second‑longest river in the United States, and also a U.S. state name
dixieland /ˈdɪk.siˌlænd/ C1	noun - a style of early jazz originating in the Southern United States, characterized by collective improvisation
Santa /ˈsæntə/ A2	noun - the legendary figure who delivers gifts to children on Christmas Eve
Creole /kriˈoʊl/ B2	adjective - relating to the mixed‑heritage culture, language or cuisine of the Caribbean and Louisiana noun - a language that developed from the mixing of European languages with African and native tongues
Basin /ˈbeɪsən/ B2	noun - a low area of land, often surrounding a river or a lake; also a street name in New Orleans (Basin Street)
street /striːt/ A1	noun - a public road in a city or town, typically lined with houses or buildings
spirit /ˈspɪrɪt/ B1	noun - the non‑physical part of a person that is the seat of emotions and character; also a lively, enthusiastic atmosphere
hear /hɪər/ A1	verb - to perceive sound with the ears
disappear /ˌdɪsəˈpɪr/ B1	verb - to cease to be visible or to exist
Hallelujah /ˌhælɪˈluːjə/ C1	interjection - an exclamation of praise or rejoicing, especially in a religious context
Nicholas /ˈnɪkələs/ A2	proper noun - a male given name; in the song, part of “St. Nicholas”, another name for Santa Claus
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - to experience an emotion or a physical sensation
beat /biːt/ B1	noun - a rhythmic unit in music; also a regular pulsation or thump verb - to strike repeatedly; to move with a regular rhythm