'Twas the night Christmas and all through 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 snug in beds while Visions of danced in their heads
And momma in her and I in my cap Had just settled for a long winter's nap When out on the lawn there arose 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 the luster of midday to objects below When what to my 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 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 wild fly When they meet an obstacle mount sky So up to the housetop the they flew a sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas too
And in a twinkling I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of little hoof
Ands I drew in my and was turning around Down the chimney St. Nicholas with a bound He was all in fur from his head to his foot And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and
A of toys, he sprung on his back And he like a, a peddler just opening his pack
His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples how His cheeks were roses, his nose like a cherry His little mouth was drawn up like a bow And the of his chin was as white as the snow
The stump of a pipe, he held tight in his And the smoke it circled his like a wreath
He had a broad face and a, a little round belly That shook when he like a bowl full of jelly He was chubby and plump, and a, a jolly old elf I laughed I saw him in spite of myself
A wink of his eye and a of his head gave me to know I had nothing to dread
He spoke not a but went straight to his work And filled all the stockings, and then turned with a An' laying a finger side his nose An' giving a nod up the he rose
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a An' they all flew like the down of a thistle
But I heard him as he drove out of sight Christmas to all, Merry Christmas to all And to all a