'Twas the before Christmas and all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a The were hung by, the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas would be there
The were all nestled, all snug in their beds while Visions of danced in their heads
And in her kerchief and I in my cap Had settled down for a long winter's nap When out on the there arose such a clatter I sprang my bed to see what was the matter!
to the window, I flew like a flash Tore the shutters and threw up the sash
The moon on the of the new fallen snow Gave the luster of to objects below When to my wandering eyes should appear But a miniature sleigh and eight reindeer!
With a little ol' driver so and quick I knew in a moment, it be St. Nick!
More rapid than eagles, his courses they 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 meet with an obstacle mount sky So up to the the courses they flew With a sleigh of toys and St. Nicholas too
And in a twinkling I heard on the roof The and pawing of each little hoof
I drew in my head and was turning around Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a 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 peddler just opening his
His eyes how twinkled, his dimples how merry His cheeks were like roses, his nose a cherry His drawl mouth was drawn up like a bow And the beard of his chin was as as the snow
The stump of a pipe, he held tight in his And the smoke it his head like a wreath
He had a broad face and a, a little round belly That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of 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 Soon me to know I had nothing to dread
He spoke not a word but went to his work And filled all the stockings, and then turned with a An' laying a finger aside his nose An' giving a nod up the he rose
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team a whistle An' away they all flew like the down of a
But I heard him exclaim as he out of sight Merry Christmas to all, Merry to all And to all a