An informal survey of my cow-orkers showed that everybody knew this song. I learned that song before most of you youngsters were born, more than 50 years ago.

Is this strictly a North American phenomenon, or has it made inroads into other continents as well?

It's not like this was ever a top-10 song, or even ever played on the radio at all. How did this song propagate so universally, and what could account for its remarkable staying power?

I suppose some Christmas songs like Jingle Bells or White Christmas might show comparable longevity, but this song is pretty much in the realm of the under-10-year-olds.

A strange business, indeed.

tanstaafl.