'Twas the night before and all through the house Not a was stirring, not even a mouse The stockings were hung by, the chimney with care in that St. Nicholas would soon be
The children were all nestled, all snug in their beds Visions of sugarplums danced in heads
And momma in her and I in my cap Had just settled down for a long nap out on the lawn there arose such a clatter I sprang from my bed to see was the matter!
Away to the window, I flew a flash open the shutters and threw up the sash
The moon on the breast of the new fallen Gave the luster of to objects below When what to my wandering eyes appear But a miniature sleigh and tiny reindeer!
With a little ol' so lively and quick I in a moment, it must be St. Nick!
rapid than eagles, his courses they came As he and shouted 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 that before the wild hurricanes fly When they 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 drew in my and was turning around Down the St. Nicholas came with a bound He was dressed all in fur from his head to his And his clothes were all tarnished ashes and soot
A bundle of toys, he sprung on his And he looked like a, a just opening his pack
His how they twinkled, his dimples how merry His cheeks were roses, his nose like a cherry His drawl mouth was drawn up like 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 his head like a wreath
He had a broad face and a, a little round belly That when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly He was chubby and plump, and a, a 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 nothing to
He spoke not a word but went to his work And filled all the stockings, and turned with a jerk An' a finger aside side his nose An' a nod up the chimney he rose
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a An' away they all flew like the of a thistle
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of Christmas to all, Merry Christmas to all And to all a