This cover has made the rounds for at least a few years, but I just stumbled upon it this year. It’s a delicious slice of mid-century Christmas cheer called Space Age Santa Claus.

According to the entry on this 45 rpm single (on a FaLaLaLaLa.com post that is now only available through Google cache), “Space Age Santa Claus” is the A-side of this single (from Delhi Records, 1961), and the B-side is “When Christmas Bells Are Ringing.” Both tunes were written by Ross Christman — which sure sounds like a pseudonym to me — and performed by the Hal Bradley Orchestra with Patty Marie Jay on vocals.

I’m a little confused as to the perspective in this drawing. Is that a regular-sized Santa holding a really small tree? Or is the tree normal and Santa is just colossal? Because if it’s the latter, what kind of freaky children would be big enough to play with those toys?

Anyway, I’ve got a special treat for you this holiday season. In addition to the full-size cover scan from my Flickr group, you can also enjoy “Space Age Santa Claus” right here! And as an extra-special bonus, here are the lyrics:

Santa Claus has a rocket sleigh

Getting ready to zoom away

On his first trip into space

In his pressurized suit with the fur along the border

And a long white bearded helmet made just to order

He’ll take the Christmas spirit every place

His eight reindeer will travel by jet

They’ll go farther than they’ve ever gone yet

With the Space Age Santa

Space Age Santa Claus

He’ll loop tinsel ’round through the stars

Light up Christmas trees all over Mars

He’ll take the dark clouds out of the air

And hang up fluffs of angel hair

He’ll start a gift shop on the moon

Set the moon folk humming Christmas tunes

He’ll stir up egg nog in the Milky Way

To fill the Dippers for the holiday

Space kids will hang up nylon hose

Hear the song about Rudolph’s red nose

Saturn will stroll down Santa Claus Lane

And swing a jaunty candy cane

The Gemini twins will whirl with joy

When he makes the Swan a wind-up toy

He’ll show them how to add to all the fun

And make it orbit ’round and ’round the sun

Oh, Santa Claus has a rocket sleigh

Getting ready to zoom away

On his first trip into space

In his pressurized suit with the fur along the border

And a long white bearded helmet made just to order

He’ll take the Christmas spirit every place

His eight reindeer will travel by jet

They’ll go farther than they’ve ever gone yet

with the Space Age Santa

Space Age Santa Claus

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