CHRISTMAS CHEER

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Clement Clarke-Moore

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 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 shutters and threw up the sash.





The moon on the breast of a new-fallen snow--
Gave a luster of midday 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--
I knew in a moment, it must be St. Nick!





More rapid than eagles his courses they came--
He whistled and shouted and called them by name.

"Now DASHER, now DANCER, now PRANCER and VIXEN.....
on COMET, on CUPID, on DONDER and BLITZEN....
To the top of the roof... To the top of the wall...
Now dash-a-way, dash-a-way, dash-a-way 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 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 is 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 sack...
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 on 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 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 as he drove out of sight...





"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL - AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!"


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A link to my "Christmas Cheer Sing-a-long" is at the bottom of this page...don't miss it!


MIDIS by: Don Carroll





THANKS FOR STOPPING BY.........

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MY HOUSE TO YOURS!


slotplayer46
(Norma)
1999

(revised...2006)








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