The Night Before Christmas

It was 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 hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled off snuck in their beds, While visions of sugar plum danced in their heads. My minor curchief and I in my cap had just settled down for a long winter's nap. Then out and along 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, for opened the shutters and threw up the sand. And what to my wandering eyes should appear, But a miniature slanny tiny reindeer Dancer! Dancer! Dancer! Vixen!

Comet! Cupid! Donder! Vixen! And up to the house top the courses they blew With a sleighful of toys in St. Nicholas too As I drew in my head and was turning around Down the chimney snake Nicholas came with a bound, a bundle of toys he had flung on his back.

He looked like a peddler just opening his pack. He spoke not a word but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings and turned with a jerk. He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the town of a thistle.

But I heard him explain as he drove out of sight And he's respect to all and to all