Said old Gentleman Gray, "On Christmas Day,

If you want to be happy, give something away."

So he sent a fat turkey to Shoemaker Price,

And the Shoemaker said, "What a big bird, how nice;

And since such a good dinner is before me,

I'll send poor Widow Lee

The fine chicken I bought." "This fine chicken, oh see!"

Said the pleased Widow Lee

"And the kindness that sent it, how precious to me.

I would like to make someone as happy as I.

I'll send Washwoman Biddy, my big pumpkin pie."

And "Oh sure," Biddy said, "Tis the Queen of all pies;

Just to look at its yellow face, gladdens my eyes.

Now it's my turn, I think and a sweet sugar cake

for the motherless Finnegan children I'll bake."

Said the Finnegan children, Rose, Denny, and Hugh,

"It smells sweet of spice, and we'll carry a slice

To poor little lame Jake who has nothing that's nice."

"Oh, I thank you and thank you!" said little lame Jake;

"I'll save all the crumbs,

And give them to each little sparrow that comes."

And the sparrows they twittered as if they would say,

Like Old Gentleman Gray, "On a great Christmas Day,

If you want to be happy, give something away."