'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 hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there

The children were nestled all snug in their beds

While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads

And Ma 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

The moon on the crest of the new-fallen snow

Gave a luster of midday to objects below

Then 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 Saint Nick (Must be Saint Nick)

Now, Dasher and Prancer, now, Dasher and Prancer

To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall

And up to the house top those reindeer, they flew

With a sleigh full of toys and Saint Nicholas too

A round little face and a round little belly

That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly

His eyes, how they twinkled, his dimples, how merry

His cheeks were like roses and his nose like a cherry

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work

He filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk

And laying his finger aside of his nose

Then giving a nod, up the chimney he rose

He sprang to his sleigh, to the team gave a whistle

And away they all flew like the down on a thistle

But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight

"Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight"

Night before Christmas and all through the house