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 Nicholas

soon would be there



The children were nestled

all snug in their beds

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads



And mamma in her 'kerchief

and I in my cap

Had just settled our brains

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 lustre of mid-day

to objects below



When, what to my

wondering eyes should appear

But a miniature sleigh

and eight tinny 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, 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 with an obstacle, mount to the sky



So up to the house-top

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 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 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 of 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 bowlful 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

'ere he drove out of sight

"Happy Christmas to all

and to all a good-night!"