'twas the night before christmas and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

In the hopes that st. nicholas soon would be there



The children were nestled all snug in their beds

While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.

Mom in her kerchief and i in my cap

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.



When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter

Away to the window i flew with a flash

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash



The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow

Gave a luster of mid-day to objects below.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer



With a little old driver so lively and quick

Well i knew in a moment, it must be st. nick

More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came

And he whistled and he shouted and he called them by name



"on dasher, on dancer, on prancer and vixen

On comet, on cupid, on donner and blitzen!

To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall

Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all!"



As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly

When they meet to an obstacle mount to the sky

So up to the rooftop the coursers they flew

With a sleigh full of toys and st. nicholas too.



And then in a twinkling, i heard on the roof

The prancing, the pawing of each little hoof

As i drew in my head and was turning around

Down the chimney st. nicholas came with a bound



He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back

And he looked like a peddler just op'ning his pack



His eyes, how they twinkled, his dimples, how merry

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry

His droll little mouth was drawn up in a bow

And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow



The stump of a pipe, he held tight in his teeth

And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath

He had a broad face and a little round belly

That shook when laughed (ho, ho, ho, ho) like a bowl full of jelly (ho, ho, ho, ho)



He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf

And i laughed when i saw him in spite of myself

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know i had nothing to dread



He spoke not a word but went straight to his work

And filled all the stockings and turned with a jerk

And laying a finger to the side of his nose

And giving a nod up the chimney he rose



He sprang to his sleigh, and to his team gave a whistle

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle

But i heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight

"merry christmas to all and to all..goodnight



Goodnight."


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