'Twas the night before and all through the house Not a was stirring, not even a mouse The were hung by, the chimney with care in hopes that St. would soon be there
The were all nestled, all snug in their beds while Visions of sugarplums in their heads
And in her kerchief and I in my cap Had just settled down for a winter's nap When out on the lawn there arose such a I sprang my bed to see what was the matter!
to the window, I flew like a flash Tore open the shutters and up the sash
The on the breast of the new fallen snow Gave the luster of midday to objects When what to my wandering eyes should But a miniature and eight tiny reindeer!
With a little ol' driver so lively and I knew in a moment, it be St. Nick!
More rapid eagles, his courses they came As he whistled and shouted and called them by 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 When they with an obstacle mount sky So up to the the courses they flew With a sleigh of toys and St. Nicholas too
And then in a twinkling I heard on the The prancing and pawing of little hoof
I drew in my head and was turning around Down the chimney St. Nicholas came a bound He was dressed all in fur his head to his foot And his clothes all tarnished with ashes and soot
A bundle of toys, he sprung on his And he like a, a peddler just opening his pack
His how they twinkled, his dimples how merry His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a His drawl little mouth was drawn up a bow And the beard of his chin was as white as the
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 bowl full of He was chubby and plump, and a, a right old elf I laughed I saw him in spite of myself
A wink of his eye and a twist of his Soon gave me to know I had to dread
He spoke not a word but straight to his work And filled all the stockings, and then with a jerk An' laying a finger aside side his An' giving a nod up the he rose
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team a whistle An' they all flew like the down of a thistle
But I heard him exclaim as he out of sight Merry Christmas to all, Merry to all And to all a