Did You Know?: The Christmas Song

A Bronzeville citizen recorded this popular Christmas song.

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose.” We’re pretty sure you know the rest of the lyrics. It’s not Christmas until you’ve played “The Christmas Song” by Bronzeville’s own Nat King Cole whose singing roots go back to Forum Hall on 43rd St. The Nat King Cole Trio recorded the song in June of 1946 and since then other versions have been recorded. However, there’s something about Cole’s velvet vocals accompanied by a whimsical string section that made it an instant classic. Also, it confirms the saying of Chicago’s TikTok historian, Sherman “Dilla” Thomas: “Everything dope about America comes from Chicago”. Especially Bronzeville. Christmas is in four days. Pour yourself a nice glass of your favorite drink, kick up your feet, and let Cole usher you into the Christmas spirit.

Click here to play “The Christmas Song”.

Pictured above: Group portrait of singer Nat King Cole with his mother, Perlina, his younger brother, Ike, and his father, Edward, circa 1940.

Source: The New York Public Library Digital Collections