I'm Old St. Nicholas

The song is a dialoge between St. Nicholas and children.

Children laugh and cheer as St. Nicholas "Ho, ho, ho's" and shouts "Merry Christmas." In reply, the children continue to cheer and giggle as they call St. Nicholas by various names; Sinter Klaas, Santa Claus, Pere Noël, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and Grand Father Frost.

The lines in italic are to be sung by children; St. Nicholas sings the rest.

I'm old St. Nicholas and everybody knows,
I always laugh with a "Ho- Ho- Ho!" (with a "Ho- Ho- Ho!")
spreading joy where'er I go.

In Holland I'm called "Sinter Klaas!"
In other places "Santa Claus!"
They call me Sinter Klaas and Santa Claus.

Because he's the children's friend.
Because I'm the children's friend.
The Babe in Bethlehem fills him with joy.
And now I share that "Peace on Earth" with girls and boys.

Oh, hark, he hears the herald angels sing.
And now I share the gift of hope this season brings.

I'm old St. Nicholas and everybody knows,
I always laugh with a "Ho- Ho- Ho!" (with a "Ho- Ho- Ho!")
spreading joy where'er I go.

In France they call me "Pere Noël!"
To others I'm just "Kris Kringle!"
They call me Pere Noël, and Kris Kringle.

Because he's the children's friend.
Because I'm the children's friend.
The Babe in Bethlehem fills him with joy.
And now I share that "Peace on Earth" with girls and boys.

I'm old St. Nicholas and everybody knows,
I always laugh with a "Ho- Ho- Ho!" (with a "Ho- Ho- Ho!")
spreading joy where'er I go.

In Holland I'm called "Sinter Klaas!"
In other places "Santa Claus!"
In France they call me "Pere Noël!"
To others I'm just "Kris Kringle!"
In England you ask , "Guess who Nick is?"
I'm just known as "Father Christmas!"
In Russia they don't say "Nicklas!"
Instead they shout out "Grandfather Frost!"

Though children of the world give St. Nick—names,
His spirit is still the same!
My spirit is still the same.

Text: Fr. Joseph Marquis
Tune: Fr. Joseph Marquis

See Father Joseph as St. Nicholas at the Jim Yellig Santa Workshop, Santa Claus, Indiana.