'Twas the night before and all through the house Not a was stirring, not even a mouse The stockings hung by, the chimney with care in hopes that St. would soon be there
The children were all nestled, all snug in their 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 flew like a Tore the shutters and threw up the sash
The moon on the breast of the new fallen the luster of midday to objects below When to my wandering eyes should appear But a miniature and eight tiny reindeer!
With a ol' driver so lively and quick I in a moment, it must be St. Nick!
More than eagles, his courses they came As he whistled and and called them 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 they meet with an obstacle sky So up to the housetop the they flew a sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas too
And then in a I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little
Ands I drew in my head and was around Down the chimney St. came with a bound He was dressed all in fur from his to his foot And his clothes were all with ashes and soot
A bundle of toys, he on his back And he looked a, a peddler just opening his pack
His eyes how twinkled, his dimples how merry His cheeks were like roses, his like a cherry His little mouth was drawn up like a bow And the of his chin was as white as the snow
The of a pipe, he held tight in his teeth And the it circled his head like a wreath
He had a little face and a, a little round belly That shook he laughed like a bowl full of jelly He was and plump, and a, a right jolly old elf I when I saw him in spite of myself
A wink of his eye and a of his head Soon gave me to know I had to dread
He not a word but went straight to his work And all the stockings, and then turned with a jerk An' laying a finger side his nose An' giving a nod up the he rose
He sprang to his sleigh, to his gave 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