'Twas the night before Christmas and all the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a The stockings were hung by, the chimney with care in that St. would soon be there
The children were all nestled, all in their beds while Visions of danced in their heads
And in her kerchief and I in my cap Had just settled down for a long nap out on the lawn there arose such a clatter I sprang from my bed to see was the matter!
Away to the window, I like a flash Tore the shutters and threw up the sash
The moon on the of the new fallen snow Gave the luster of midday to objects When what to my eyes should appear But a miniature and eight tiny reindeer!
a little ol' driver so lively and quick I in a moment, it must be St. Nick!
More rapid than eagles, his they came As he whistled and shouted and called by name Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and On Comet, on Doner, an'
To the top of the porch, to the top of the Now dash-away, all
And as dry leaves that before the hurricanes fly When they meet with an obstacle sky So up to the housetop the courses they With a full of toys and St. Nicholas too
And then in a twinkling I on the roof The prancing and of each little hoof
Ands I drew in my and was turning around Down the chimney St. Nicholas with a bound He was dressed all in fur from his to his foot And his clothes were all tarnished ashes and soot
A bundle of toys, he on his back And he looked like a, a just opening his pack
His how they twinkled, his dimples how merry His cheeks were like roses, his like a cherry His drawl little mouth was drawn up a bow And the of his chin was as white as the snow
The of a pipe, he held tight in his teeth And the smoke it his head like a wreath
He had a broad little face and a, a round belly That when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly He was and plump, and a, a right jolly old elf I when I saw him in spite of myself
A of his eye and a twist of his head Soon me to know I had nothing to dread
He spoke not a word but went straight to his And all the stockings, and then turned with a jerk An' laying a finger aside his nose An' a nod up the chimney he rose
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team a whistle An' away they all flew like the of a thistle
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of Christmas to all, Merry Christmas to all And to all a