’Twas the Night Before Christmas

Lyrics

[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