Just thinking of my old mum who has recently passed away at 91 and the special "christmas's" which always included this lovely "song" and like Fergus it's hard to sing it without a tear coming into my eye. So thanks for sharing "your" contributions, I didn't expect to get any results by "googling", but it just goes to show, as they say in theese parts. No idea of the origins, mum had it sang to her when she was a little girl. Our version went like this and by the way, mum sang it for me word perfect, just a couple of weeks before she died in May this year. Warm memories indeed, so precious in these troubled times!

(first part spoken)
Once upon a time, so the story is told,
in fairyland lives a man very old.
Good little children he loves most dear,
and his steeds come to see them once every year.
He rides on his sleigh each christmasy night,
with his cloak rosie red
and his beard snowy white.
So listen now children, if you'r very good
and do as I tell you as little ones should.

(sung) I'l telephone and tell old Mr. Santa Clause
you want him to call some night,
he will come and see you when you'r quietly sleeping
through the bedroom creeping, softly creeping.
Hang up all your stockings on the bedstead, children
blow out the candle light.
Jump into bed, cover up your head, blow a kiss, Goodnight!

Needless to say, it has been passed on to my children and grandchildren. Thanks again to you all and may you all remember with affection your Christmas's past and future.