by Marcus, age 9 from St. Louis, Missouri, asks Santa about the song’s lyrics, the Gateway Arch, and the city’s westward expansion history.
Dear Santa, my name is Marcus, and I am nine years old. I live in St. Louis, Missouri, where my grandma says our giant silver arch downtown is taller than almost any monument in the whole country.
Dear Marcus, that gleaming arch is one of the easiest landmarks to spot on my entire route, your grandma picked a truly striking hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
What are the lyrics to Santa Claus Is Coming to Town? My little sister wants to sing it perfectly for her school concert.
Those words belong to the songwriters who wrote them, Marcus, so I will leave the exact lyrics to her music teacher and the sheet music at school. What I can say is that a cheerful song like that, sung with real enthusiasm, always sounds wonderful no matter how many words get mixed up along the way.
My grandma says the Gateway Arch is taller than most monuments anywhere in the country. Is that true?
It is true, Marcus, the Gateway Arch stands remarkably tall along the Mississippi River, one of the tallest monuments in the entire United States. I always give it a proud, careful pass on my way to your rooftop.
My grandma says St. Louis is nicknamed the Gateway to the West because of its history. Is that true?
It is true, Marcus, St. Louis earned that nickname as a major starting point for westward expansion many years ago, a doorway to new opportunities further west. That history, so many hopeful journeys beginning right there in your city, is worth remembering.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Marcus Bell
St. Louis, Missouri
P.S. Will you cheer for my sister at her school concert, even from far away?
Every note, Marcus, I have excellent long-distance hearing this time of year.
