The Night Before Christmas by Clement C.
Moore T'was 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 the hopes that St.
Nicholas would soon be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.
And Mama 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 shutter and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave a luster of midday to objects below.
Then what to my wondering eye should appear But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer?
With a little old driver so lively and quick I knew in a moment that 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 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 housetop the coursers 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.
And as I drew 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 and 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 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,
Er they drove out of sight Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.
