¡®twas the night before christmas

When all through the house

Not a creature was stirring

Not even a mouse!



The stockings all hung

By the chimney with care

In hopes that st. nicholas

Soon would be there!



The children were nestled

All safe in their beds

While visions of sugarplums

Danced in their heads!



And 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 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 midday

To object below!



When what to my wandering eyes

Should appear

But a miniature sleigh

And eight tiny reindeer!



With a little ol' driver

So lively and quick

I knew in a moment

It must be st. nick!



More rapid than eagles

His courses they came

As he whistled and shouted

And called them by name:



"now dasher

Now dancer

Now prancer

Now vixen

On comet

On cupid

On doner

An' blitzen!"



To the top of the porch

To the top of the wall

Now dash-awaydash-away

Dash-away all!



As dry leaves

Before the wild hurricane fly

When they meet with an obstacle

Mount to the sky.



Soup to the housetop

The courses they flew

With a 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 drawl little mouth

Was drawn up like a bow

And the beard of his chin

Was a white as the snow!



The stump of his pipe

He held tight in his teeth

And the smoke it encircled his head

Like a wreath!



He had a broad face

And a round little belly

That shook when he laughed

Like a bowl full of jelly!



He was chubby and plump

A right jolly old elf

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!



An' laying a finger

Along side his nose

An' giving a nod

Up the chimney he rose!



He sprang to his sleigh

To his team gave a whistle

An' away they all flew

Like the down of a thistle.



But I heard him exclaim

As he drove out of sight

"happy christmas to all

And to all a goodnight!"



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