'Twas the night before Christmas and all the house Not a was stirring, not even a mouse The stockings were hung by, the chimney with care in hopes St. would soon be there
The children all nestled, all snug in their beds while Visions of sugarplums danced in their
And momma in her and I in my cap Had just down for a long winter's nap out on the lawn there arose such a clatter I from my bed to see what was the matter!
Away to the window, I like a flash Tore open the and threw up the sash
The on the breast of the new fallen snow Gave the luster of midday to below When to my wandering eyes should appear But a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer!
a little ol' driver so lively and quick I knew in a moment, it be St. Nick!
More rapid than eagles, his courses came As he whistled and shouted and called them by Now Dasher, now Dancer, now and Vixen 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 wild fly When they meet an obstacle mount sky So up to the housetop the they flew With a full of toys and St. Nicholas too
And then in a I heard on the roof The and pawing of each little hoof
Ands I drew in my head and was turning Down the chimney St. Nicholas with a bound He was dressed all in fur his head to his foot And his clothes were all tarnished with and soot
A bundle of toys, he sprung on his And he looked a, a peddler just opening his pack
His how they twinkled, his dimples how merry His cheeks were roses, his nose like a cherry His drawl little mouth was drawn up a bow And the beard of his chin was as as the snow
The stump of a pipe, he tight in his teeth And the it circled his head like a wreath
He had a broad little face and a, a round belly That shook when he like a bowl full of jelly He was chubby and plump, and a, a right old elf I laughed I saw him in spite of myself
A wink of his eye and a twist of his Soon me to know I had nothing to dread
He spoke not a word but straight to his work And filled all the stockings, and then 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' they all flew like the down of a thistle
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of Merry Christmas to all, Christmas to all And to all a