'Twas The Night Before Christmas

'Twas 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 the 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. 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 with a flash Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow Gave a luster of mid-day to objects below. When what to my wondering eyes should appear But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer With a little old driver so lively and quick Well I knew in a moment, it must be St. Nick More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came And he whistled and he shouted and he called them by name "On Dasher, on Dancer, on 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 to an obstacle mount to the sky So up to the rooftop 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, the 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 soo