Up on the Housetop

The beloved Christmas song “Up on the Housetop” is believed to have been inspired by another popular piece of holiday writing. Written by American composer Benjamin Hanby in 1864, “Up on the Housetop” was at least in part inspired by Clement C. Moore’s 1822 poem, “A Visit From St.

Nicholas” (now more widely referred to as “The Night Before Christmas”). Since Hanby wrote the song nearly two centuries ago, it has been performed by countless artists. Two of the more notable renditions were performed by famed singing cowboy Gene Autry in 1953 and television personality Kimberley Locke in 2005. That those two renditions were performed more than half a century apart is a testament to the enduring popularity of “Up on the Housetop,” which can be heard in department stores and at holiday parties throughout December.