The Night Before Christmas

[Verse 1]

Towards the night before Christmas when all through the house

not a creature was staring

not even a mouse

the stockings were hung by the chimney with care

in hopes that Santa soon would be there

[Verse 2]

The children were nestled all snug in their beds

while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads

and Mama in her kerchief and I in my cap

had just settled down for a long winter's nap

[Verse 3]

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

[Verse 4]

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow

gave the luster of midday to objects below

when what to my wondering eye should appear

but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer

[Verse 5]

With a little old driver so lively and quick

I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came

and he whistled and shouted and called them by name

[Verse 6]

Now Dasher now Dancer now Brancher and Vixen

on Comet on Cupid on Thunder and Blitzen

to the top of the porch to the top of the wall

now dash away dash away dash away all

[Verse 7]

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 Saint Nicholas too

[Verse 8]

And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof

the prancing and pawing of each little hoof

As I drew in my hand and was turning around

down the chimney Saint Nicholas came with a bound

[Verse 9]

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

[Verse 10]

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 of his chin was as white as a snow

[Verse 11]

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

[Verse 12]

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

[Verse 13]

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 the side of his nose

and giving a nod up the chimney he rose

[Verse 14]

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

and away they all flew like the down of a thistle

[Outro]

But I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight

Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night