"Christmas Time is Here" is the opening song from A Charlie Brown Christmas, written by Lee Mendelson and composer Vince Guaraldi. Sung by the choir of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, it is heard as Charlie Brown and Linus join the rest of the Peanuts gang in ice-skating at the frozen pond.
Album Version[]
Two versions of the song appear on the special's soundtrack album - the vocal version, and a six-minute instrumental version.
TV Version[]
The vocal take that ended up being used for the special is currently unknown, however the instrumental take was eventually identified as #2 Take 3 when it reappeared on the 2022 deluxe version of the album. This instrumental version was used in the background during the special and was looped for longer scenes due to its 2:00 minute running time.
The vocal take used for TV also differentiates from the album version by concluding with “Christmas Time” repeated several times after the last verse - a snippet of which could be heard in the original Coca-Cola sponsor shot.
Use in Subsequent Specials and Films[]
The instrumental version of the song was later used, re-arranged by David Benoit, in It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown and I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown.
In Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales, Snoopy switches to playing this song on the accordion, with Woodstock whistling in unison, after Lucy points out (while walking by with Linus) that his first choice, "Oh! Susanna", does not sound like something to play at Christmastime.
In The Peanuts Movie, the children are briefly heard caroling this song when Snoopy, fantasizing that he is the World War I Flying Ace, sneaks in amongst the group.
In It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown, Sarah McLachlan performs the song, accompanied by the All-American Boys Chorus.
Lyrics[]
- Christmas time is here,
- Happiness and cheer,
- Fun for all that children call,
- Their favorite time of the year.
- Snowflakes in the air,
- Carols everywhere,
- Olden times and ancient rhymes,
- Of love and dreams to share.
- Sleigh bells in the air,
- Beauty everywhere,
- Yuletide by the fireside,
- And joyful memories there.
- Christmas time is here,
- We'll be drawing near,
- Oh, that we could always see,
- Such spirit through the year.
- Oh, that we could always see,
- Such spirit through the year...
- Sleigh bells in the air,
- Beauty everywhere,
- Yuletide by the fireside,
- And joyful memories there.
- Christmas time is here,
- We'll be drawing near,
- Oh, that we could always see,
- Such spirit through the year.
- Oh, that we could always see,
- Such spirit through the year…