'Twas the night 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. would soon be there
The children all nestled, all snug in their beds while of sugarplums danced in their heads
And in her kerchief and I in my cap Had just settled down for a long nap When out on the there arose such a clatter I from my bed to see what was the matter!
to the window, I flew like a flash Tore open the shutters and threw up the
The on the breast of the new fallen snow Gave the luster of midday to objects When what to my wandering should appear But a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer!
With a little ol' driver so and quick I knew in a moment, it be St. Nick!
rapid than eagles, his courses they came As he whistled and shouted and called by name 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 the wild hurricanes fly When meet with an obstacle mount sky So up to the the courses they flew a sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas too
And then in a twinkling I on the roof The and pawing of each little hoof
I drew in my head and was turning around Down the St. Nicholas came with a bound He was all in fur from his head to his foot And his clothes were all tarnished with and soot
A bundle of toys, he on his back And he looked like a, a peddler just his pack
His how they twinkled, his dimples how merry His cheeks like roses, his nose like a cherry His drawl 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 in his teeth 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 full of jelly He was and plump, and a, a right jolly old elf I laughed I saw him in spite of myself
A wink of his eye and a twist of his 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 with a jerk An' laying a finger aside his nose An' giving a nod up the chimney he
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team a whistle An' away all flew like the down of a thistle
But I him exclaim as he drove out of sight Christmas to all, Merry Christmas to all And to all a