A Christmas Carol in German and English
Music: Steve Edward Nelson
Lyrics: Walter E. “Jack” Rollins (English)
“Frosty the Snowman” is a popular Christmas song written by Walter E. “Jack” Rollins and Steve Edward Nelson. It was first recorded by the singing cowboy Gene Autry (Orvon Grover “Gene” Autry, 1907-1998) and the Cass County Boys in 1950. Besides “Frosty,” Autry had several other Christmas song hits, including “Here Comes Santa Claus,” which he wrote himself. A German version of “Frosty” was written by the German jazz musician and performer Götz Alsmann. (More below.)
A 1940s publicity photo of Gene Autry. PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons
Like some other songs about winter, “Frosty the Snowman” is considered a Christmas song, despite never referring to the holiday. Written in response to the success of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and originally entitled “Frosty the Snow Man,” Autry’s single sold two million copies. The clever story and lyrics by Rollins combined with the catchy melody by Nelson turned the song into a classic. The Rollins/Nelson team also created another musical holiday character: Peter Cottontail, who first hopped “down the bunny trail” for Easter of 1949.
To go along with this song, we have some “Frosty” books and CDs, and more about this song below. Also see the German version – with video – below.
“Frosty the Snowman” (original English lyrics)
Music: Steve Edward Nelson
Lyrics: Walter E. “Jack” Rollins
Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul,
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal.
Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale, they say,
He was made of snow but the children
Know how he came to life one day.
There must have been some magic in that
Old silk hat they found.
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around.
O, Frosty the snowman
Was alive as he could be,
And the children say he could laugh
And play just the same as you and me.
Frosty the snowman knew
The sun was hot that day,
So he said, “Let’s run and
We’ll have some fun
Now before I melt away.”
Down to the village,
With a broomstick in his hand,
Running here and there all
Around the square saying,
Catch me if you can.
He led them down the streets of town
Right to the traffic cop.
And he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler “Stop!”
For Frosty the snow man
Had to hurry on his way,
But he waved goodbye saying,
“Don’t you cry,
I’ll be back again some day.”*
Thumpety thump thump,
Thumpety thump thump,
Look at Frosty go.
Thumpety thump thump,
Thumpety thump thump,
Over the hills of snow.
*Some later versions of this song change this line to: “I’ll be back on Christmas Day.”
“Frosty, der Schneemann” (German with English)
Götz Alsmann’s Christmas albums (Vol. 1 & 2) are available as an audio CD or an MP3 download from Amazon.de.
The German version of “Frosty the Snowman” was written by the German jazz musician and performer Götz Alsmann (b. 1957 in Münster). Alsmann is known in Germany for his interpretations of American, French and other non-German music. He is a well-know radio and TV personality in Germany, and he has released many albums, including the 2014 CD “Götz Alsmann am Broadway.” He has produced two Christmas albums – Winterwunderwelt Vol. 1 (2006) and Winterwunderwelt Vol. 2 (2015) – with popular American and German carols. “Frosty, der Schneemann” is also available as an MP3 single or streaming from Amazon.de. MP3 download, no shipping required. See more album details and Amazon.de links below.
Also see a video version of this carol by Alsmann below.
“Frosty, der Schneemann”“Frosty the Snowman” |
|
| Deutsch (German) | English |
|---|---|
| Deutscher Text: Götz Alsmann | Literal English translation – HF |
| Frosty der Schneemann War ein fröhlicher Gesell Seine Augen waren kohlenschwarz Und die Nase möhrenhell |
Frosty the Snowman Was a jolly fellow His eyes were coal black And his nose carrot bright |
| Frosty der Schneemann Mit Kartoffelknöpfen dran War er mehr als nur eine Schneefigur Ein Freund für jedermann |
Frosty the Snowman With potato buttons on him He was more than just a snow figure A friend for everyone. |
| Vielleicht lag’s am Zylinderhut Der schon lang im Keller lag Kaum setzen wir ihn Frosty auf Tanzt er den ganzen Tag |
Maybe it was the top hat That lay so long in the cellar Hardly had we put it on Frosty He’s dancing all day |
| Frosty der Schneemann Wie ein Wunder sah das aus Und die Kinder lachten über ihn Auf dem ganzen Weg nach Haus |
Frosty the Snowman Like a miracle it seemed And the children laughed about him All the way home |
| Frosty der Schneemann Winkt mit seinem Besenarm Kinder los, rief er Bevor ich schmelz’ Denn dieser Tag wird warm |
Frosty the Snowman Waves with his broomstick arm Children, let’s go, he shouted Before I melt For this day’s getting warm. |
| Frosty der Schneemann Wollte Spaß so lang es ging Und er lachte, und er hüpfte und er sprang herum So dass nicht ein Kind ihn fing |
Frosty the Snowman Wanted to have fun as long as possible And he laughed, and he hopped and he jumped around So that not a child could catch him. |
| Er rannte bis zum Rathausplatz Da war gar nichts dabei Nur einmal kriegt er einen riesengroßen Schreck Oh oh, die Polizei! |
He ran to the town hall square There was nothing going on Only once he gets a really big scare Oh oh, the police! |
| Frosty der Schneemann Hatte leider nicht viel Glück Denn es wurde warm und er zerfloss Doch ich weiß er kommt zurück |
Frosty the Snowman Unfortunately hadn’t much luck For it turned warm and he melted away But I know he’ll return. |
| ORIGINAL: See the original English lyrics above. | |
BACK > German Christmas Carol Lyrics
“Frosty” Books and CDs from Amazon.com
Below is a sampling of “Frosty” books and music available from Amazon.com and Amazon.de (Germany). Also see the Alsmann video below.
“Frosty the Snowman” Book and CD
The “Frosty the Snowman” Book and CD is a special children’s book edition that includes a CD recorded by Kenny Loggins. One of the most magical of all wintertime songs gets an enchanting interpretation in this charming new picture book/CD combination. Buy the book and CD from Amazon.com. Also available in other editions (hardcover, Kindle, etc.) – without a CD.
Audio CD 1: Winterwunderwelt, Vol. 1 from Amazon.de. Includes “Frosty der Schneemann” and 12 other songs: “Leise rieselt der Schnee” – “Kling Glöckchen klingelingeling” – “Lasst uns froh und munter sein” – “Süßer die Glocken nie klingen” – “Hei, hei, hei so eine Schneeballschlacht” – “Winterwunderwelt” – “Die Frau vom Nikolaus” – “Winter in Kanada” – “Der Weihnachtsmann” – “Der Weihnachtsumtausch” – “Eine Muh, eine Mäh, eine Tätärätätä”. Free shipping in Germany.
Audio CD 2: Winterwunderwelt, Vol. 2 from Amazon.de. Free shipping in Germany. Volume 2 titles: “Lass es schnei’n” (Let It Snow), “Morgen, Kinder, wird’s was geben.” “Viele Bunte Päckchen” (The Christmas Song), “O Du Fröhliche,” “Jingle-Bell Rock” (instrumental), “Still, still, still, weil’s Kindlein schlafen will,” “Hawaiianisches Weihnachtslied” (Mele Kalikimaka), “O Tannenbaum,” “Zwei Spuren im Schnee,” “The Christmas Blues (instrumental), “Fröhliche Weihnacht überall,” “Denn meine Liebe hält mich warm” (I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm), “Schneeflöckchen Weißröckchen'” “Weiße Weihnacht” (White Christmas), “Warm im Dezember” (Warm In December), “The Christmas Song” (instrumental).
VIDEO: “Frosty der Schneemann” von Götz Alsmann
Next | German Christmas Carol Lyrics in German and English
Related Pages
AT THE GERMAN WAY
- “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was also a Gene Autry Christmas hit. Lyrics in German and English
- German Christmas Carol Lyrics in German and English
- Silent Night (Stille Nacht) – Our “Silent Night” page has the true story and related links.
- Lyrics: “Stille Nacht” (“Silent Night”) – Lyrics in German and English
- Christmas from A to Z – German Christmas traditions and terms
- Advent Calendar with Christmas Facts – Starting Dec. 1, in season
- Christmas Markets in Germany and Europe – An overview of the top Weihnachtsmärkte in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
- Photo Gallery: Christmas in Germany – Berlin – A visual tour of Christmas markets and other December sights in Berlin
- Advent and Christmas – The “arrival”
- Christmas in the USA and Germany– A comparison chart
- Holidays and Celebrations in Austria, Germany and Switzerland
ON THE WEB
- Götz Alsmann – The official site displays Alsmann’s music and other projects (in German).
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