'Twas the night before Christmas and all the house Not a was stirring, not even a mouse The stockings hung by, the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be
The children were all nestled, all snug in beds while of sugarplums danced in their heads
And momma in her and I in my cap Had just down for a long winter's nap When out on the lawn there arose a clatter I sprang my bed to see what was the matter!
Away to the window, I flew like a open the shutters and threw up the sash
The moon on the breast of the new fallen the luster of midday to objects below When what to my eyes should appear But a miniature sleigh and tiny reindeer!
With a little ol' so lively 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 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 they meet with an obstacle mount sky So up to the housetop the courses flew With a sleigh full of toys and St. too
And then in a I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little
Ands I in my head and was turning around Down the chimney St. Nicholas came a bound He was dressed all in fur from his 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 just opening his pack
His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples how His cheeks were like roses, his like a cherry His drawl little mouth was drawn up a bow And the beard of his was as white as the snow
The stump of a pipe, he tight in his teeth And the smoke it circled his head a wreath
He had a broad little face and a, a little belly That shook when he laughed like a bowl of jelly He was chubby and plump, and a, a jolly old elf I laughed when I saw him in of myself
A of his eye and a twist of his head gave me to know I had nothing to dread
He spoke not a word but straight to his work And all the stockings, and then turned with a jerk An' laying a finger side his nose An' a nod up the chimney he rose
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team a whistle An' away all flew like the down of a thistle
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of Christmas to all, Merry Christmas to all And to all a