(Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With The Bag

The song presents Christmas as a joyful time of anticipation. Everyone is waiting for Santa, who is expected to bring gifts and make December especially happy. The mood is playful and upbeat, with the promise of celebration building as his arrival gets closer.

The “man with the bag” is Santa, described through the presents he carries and delivers at every stop. The bells are said to “tinkle all your troubles away,” a cheerful exaggeration suggesting that holiday excitement can briefly make worries feel smaller. The line about getting a gift if you have been “extra special good” refers to the familiar idea that Santa rewards well-behaved children.

The lyrics treat Santa’s arrival as an answer to people’s hopes, but the song is lighthearted rather than deeply solemn. “The answers to the prayers” may simply mean that the gifts and festivities fulfill people’s wishes; it need not suggest a serious religious message. The final “Better watch out, ma’am” sounds like a teasing aside, adding a little comic surprise to the excitement.