Bob Dylan: Reported to release Christmas album for charity

Bob Dylan: Reported to release Christmas album for charity

Rock icon Bob Dylan is going to release his first ever Christmas album, with royalties going to charity, his record label has  confirmed this on Wednesday.

Dylan's "Christmas in the Heart" album is due for release on October 13, approximately six months after the release of his last studio album, "Together Through Life," which was no.1 on the charts.

"Christmas in the Heart," the 47th album of the folk legend will include tracks like 'Here Comes Santa Claus,' 'Must Be Santa,' 'Winter Wonderland' and 'Little Drummer Boy.'

Dylan will donate all his U.S. royalties from album sales to the charity group Feeding America, and in a statement he said he hopes it brings "food security to people in need," Columbia Records said.

Feeding America hopes to provide meals to 1.4 million people this holiday season with the album proceeds.

Dylan said: "It's a tragedy that more than 35 million people in this country alone - 12 million of those, children - often go to bed hungry and wake up each morning unsure of where their next meal is coming from."

According to Columbia, International royalties from sales will go to organisations in other countries who provide meals for vulnerable people.