CHRISTMAS RIDDLE, THE
(Peggy Lee / Stella Castelucci)

Peggy Lee & Children's Chorus - 1960




Children, may I tell a riddle
Of someone who's dear to you
Maybe you will guess the answer
Long before I'm through

(Riddle, a riddle, oh, tell us a riddle)
(Tell us a riddle, please do)

Well, long ago there lived a bishop
Who was such a kindly man
All his life was spent in giving
That was how it all began

And they say he rode a white horse
As he went from door to door
Giving presents, sweets and good things
Need I tell you any more 

(Riddle, a riddle, it still is a riddle)
(Tell us, oh, please tell us more)

Next the legend says, the children
Would leave hay in a wooden shoe
For the white horse he was riding
Now you have another clue

(You gave us a clue, you gave us a clue)
(About hay in a wooden shoe)

He has many another name
In many another far off land
But no matter what the language
Every child will understand

Well now, when you hang your stocking
He was why that all began
All the World has kept the custom
Of this kind and saintly man

(We've got it, we've got it, we just guessed the riddle)
(We know how it all began)

Yes, you know now 'twas Saint Nicholas
For giving gifts, he was the cause
Some have named him dear Kris Kringle
Others call him Santa Claus

And much like the sweet Dutch children
Would leave hay in a wooden shoe
Others leave some for the reindeer
And give presents too

(The riddle, the riddle, we guessed the riddle)
(The riddle of dear old Saint Nick)

The riddle of old Saint Nick


(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - December 2009)