’Twas the Night Before Christmas

[Verse 1]
'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

[PIano Solo]
Mmm hmm, yes, yes

[Verse 2]
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of sugar plums danced in their little heads
While mama was in her ’kerchief, and I had on my cap
And we had just settlеd our brains for a long winter’s nap

[Verse 3]
When out on the lawn thеre arose such a clatter
I sprang from the 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

[Verse 4]
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of midday to objects below
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh
And one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight tiny reindeer?

[Verse 5]
With a little old driver, so lively and quick
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name

[Verse 6]
"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! Cupid! Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

[Verse 7]
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too

[Verse 8]
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

[Verse 9]
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

[Verse 10]
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 of his chin was as white as the snow

[Verse 11]
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth
And the smoke, well, it encircled his head like a wreath
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly

[Verse 12]
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

[Verse 13]
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
Filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk
And laying his finger aside of his nose
Giving a nod, up the chimney he rose

[Verse 14]
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
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night"
Yes, to all, a very good night