Up on the Housetop

In 1863, Ben Hanby was called to a pastoral position in New Paris, Ohio, population 500. Hanby, whose loves included music and the education of children, used organ and flute music to appeal to the youth during services, much to the displeasure of members of the congregation. The majority stood with him, but he feared the destruction of the church through this split concerning his actions. So Ben left his pastoral job.

Now he was faced with poverty, the support of his wife and two small children and few prospects in the ministry. He rented a store on the outskirts of the village and began the business of a singing school for children and their parents. As the holiday season of 1864 approached, Ben had no money to purchase sheet music for his students so composed his own songs and lyrics.

One of the songs he wrote is “Up on the Housetop” also known as “Santa Claus.” Ben taught the song to his students. The Quaker community in nearby Richmond, Indiana, familiar with his work, asked him to assist them in entertaining poor children in their community at a Christmas event. At that event “Santa Claus” was performed for the first time in public. One of the great folk songs in our country’s history got its start at this humble event.

Ben’s gift of music was brought to the attention of George F. Root, the most important publisher of music of the era. Root and Cady was a music publishing company in Chicago and Ben was persuaded to move his family to that city and go to work for the firm.

In 1865 Ben Hanby began to work on a series of song book for children published quarterly and titled “The Song Birds”. It is in volume four published in October 1866, and titled “The Dove” that the song appeared in print for the first time

Sadly, five months after publication, Benjamin R. Hanby, age 33, died on March 16, 1867. To further complicate the future of this piece of music, the building that housed Root and Cady and its vast catalogue of music burned to the ground in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

The song could have died then, but it is a folk song passed from mouth to mouth of young children through several generations who loved the lyrics and melody. In the 20th century music publishers realizing this dedication to the piece began to publish sheet music of the piece titling it “Up on the Housetop” with anonymous as the name of the composer. Ben Hanby was not given credit for the piece.

In 1942, this changed when Dacia Custer Shoemaker’s research finally proved its true origin and composer. That same year the governor of Ohio declared the date of Ben’s death March 16th Benjamin R. Hanby Day in Ohio. 

This year we celebrate the 160th anniversary of this great folk song much beloved by children throughout the country.