• 'TWAS
    the night before Christmas
    when all through the house
    not a creature was stirring
    not even a mouse


    The stockings were hung
    by the chimney with care
    In hopes that St. Nicolas
    soon would be there


    The children was nestled
    all snug in their beds

    while visions of sugerplums
    danced in their heads

    And Mama in her kercheif
    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 the bed
    to see what was the matter

    away to the window
    I flew like a flash
    tore open the shutters
    and threw up the sash


    The moon on the breast
    of the new-fallen snow
    gave the luster of midday
    to objects below


    When what to my wondering
    eyes should appear
    but eight tiny reindeer

    with a little old driver
    so lively and quick
    I knew in a moment
    it must be St. Nick


    More rapid than eagles
    his coursers they came
    and he whistled and shouted
    and called them by name

    now Dasher! now Dancer!
    now Prancer and Vixen!
    on Comet! on Cupid!
    on Donder 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 with an obstacle
    mount to the sky

    so up to the housetop
    the coursers they flew
    with the sleigh full of toys
    and St. Nicholas too


    And then in a twinkling
    I heard on the roof
    the prancing and pawing
    of each little hoof

    as I drew in my head
    and was turning around
    down the chimny 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 opening 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 like 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 he laughed
    like a bowl full of jelly

    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
    then turned with a jerk


    And laying his finger
    aside of his nose
    and giving a nod
    up the chimney he rose

    he sprang to his sleigh
    to his team gave a whistle
    and away they all flew
    like the down of a thistle

    But I heard him exclaim
    as drove out of sight
    "Merry Christmas to all
    and to all a good night!"