Christmas Karaoke Posted by sasha on Dec 18, 2017 in Culture
Listening to music is a great way to learn a language. It also teaches us about the culture of a country or region. With Christmas fast approaching, there are Christmas carols playing all around the world. If you’re an ESL learner, these traditional songs can provide a fun and entertaining way for you to practice your English. Get some friends together and have a Christmas karaoke party. Here are a few songs you can sing with videos you can follow and the lyrics you can print out to share.
Merry Christmas!
We’ll start out with easy songs that I’m sure you’ve heard a million times. These songs are great if you’re a beginner ESL learner, or if you teach children. Actually, these songs are great for all of us. Ready to sing? Let’s go!
Jingle Bells
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O’er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh, hey
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
“Rudolph, with your nose so bright
Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”
Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
You’ll go down in history”
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He’s making a list
And checking it twice
He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you’re sleeping
He knows when you’re awake
He knows if you’ve been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake
Now let’s try some famous Christmas pop songs. These are a little more difficult, and there are a lot more lyrics to follow. Are you up for the challenge? Let’s sing a few more!
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
Rocking around the Christmas Tree
at the Christmas party hop
A mistletoe hung where you can see
Every couple tries to stop
Rocking 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”
Rocking around the Christmas Tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancing merrily
In a new old fashioned way
You will get a sentimental feeling
When you hear voices singing
“Let’s be jolly; Deck the halls with boughs of holly”
Last Christmas – Wham!
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special
I keep my distance
But you still catch my eye
Tell me, baby
Do you recognize me?
Well, it’s been a year
It doesn’t surprise me
(Merry Christmas!) I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying, “I love you, ” I meant it
Now, I know what a fool I’ve been
But if you kissed me now
I know you’d fool me again
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special
I’m hiding from you, and your soul of ice
My god, I thought you were someone to rely on
Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on
A man under cover but you tore me apart
Now, I’ve found a real love you’ll never fool me again
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special
But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special
A man under cover but you tore him apart
Maybe next year I’ll give it to someone
I’ll give it to someone special
All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don’t care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true oh
All I want for Christmas is you
I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need, and I
Don’t care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don’t need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won’t make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
I won’t ask for much this Christmas
I won’t even wish for snow, and I
I just wanna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won’t make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won’t even stay awake
To hear those magic reindeer click
‘Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Oh, Baby all I want for Christmas is you
All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children’s
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won’t you bring me
The one I really need
Won’t you please bring my baby to me quickly
I don’t want a lot for Christmas
This is all I’m asking for
I just wanna see my baby
Standing right outside my door
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
All I want for Christmas is you, baby
What’s your favorite Christmas carol? Are there some traditional Christmas songs in your first language? Leave us a comment and let us know!
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About the Author: sasha
Sasha is an English teacher, writer, photographer, and videographer from the great state of Michigan. Upon graduating from Michigan State University, he moved to China and spent 5+ years living, working, studying, and traveling there. He also studied Indonesian Language & Culture in Bali for a year. He and his wife run the travel blog Grateful Gypsies, and they're currently trying the digital nomad lifestyle across Latin America.