'Twas a Christmas afternoon in camp,
and tho' the road was like a swamp,
the happy kiddies, all were there,
the orphan tots of St. Nazaire.
They liked the music, liked the tree,
they danced and sang with very glee,
until they brought quite close to tears,
the happy watching Engineers.
The invitations went to all
a week before the festival:
"Come gather in our Yankee shed
and celebrate," was what they said.
And, oh, the kiddie's came fast,
none knew which were first nor last.
They came with sisters, came with brothers,
came with fathers, came with mothers,
in auto trucks a-singing came,
their faces bright, their hearts aflame.
A concert started things a-goin,
and held the children's interest;
in fact, so many things were doing
they couldn't tell which was the best.
The kids themselves then took the stage,
each face as grave as any sage,
and sang, unasking prize nor praise,
their own immortal "Marseillaise".
It was a wondrous thing to hear,
so full of life and hope and cheer,
this infants' burst of melody,
this brave child-call for liberty,
that everyone who saw and heard,
right to his very heart was stirred,
and he carries in his bosom yet
fine memories he'll never forget.
But all was not serious and
there came moments shortly after,
when the grown-up ones of us were
thrilled with merry baby laughter.
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For down the crowded aisle
(he had trouble for a while)
came Santa Clauss, in gay attire,
his merry cheeks as red as fire,
And what a battle, too, he had
(you'd never think the war was over!).
The kids forgot of being sad
and 'round him swarmed in very clover.
He shook each eager hand,
and made his way toward the tree.
He laughed so much he could scarcely stand.
Oh, he was as jolly as could be.
And then in sober dignity,
as quite become his majesty,
while gay young voices filled the air,
he started giving presents soon.
That was of course, the big affair
of the eventful afternoon.
The kiddies small,
the kiddies tall
received all kinds of toys and treasure
things to eat and things to wear,
things to keep and things to share,
things of play and of pleasures.
The children laughed, the children danced,
their little hearts seemed quite entranced,
and when Christmas afternoon
showed signs it would be going soon,
they clomb the auto's sides again,
helped by the willing khaki men,
and when the sun had just departed,
the happy, home-bound party started.
The Engineers, tired but bright,
turned to their barracks for the night,
resolved to store away in mind,
when they left France far behind
one mem'ry radiant and rare
--- how Christmas came to St. Nazaire
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