When all though the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse
The stockings were hung
By the chimney with care,
In hopes that Saint Nickolas
Soon will be there.
And Mama in her kerchief
And I in my cap
Had just settled down
For a long winter's nap.
When out of the lawn
There arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my 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.
The moon on the breast
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.
More rapid than eagles
His coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted
And called them by name:
"Now Dasher! Now Dancer!
Now Prancer! And Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid!
On, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch,
To the top of the wall!
Now Dash away! Dash away!
Dash away! Dash away!
Dash away! Dash away!
So up to the housetop
The coursers they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys
And Saint Nickolas too.
And then in the twinkling
I heard on the roof,
The prancing and pawing
Of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand
And was turning around,
Down the chimney he came
With a bound.
He was dressed all in fur
From his head to his foot,
And his cloths 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.
His eyes- how the 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 on his chin
Was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe
He held tight to his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled
His head like a wreath.
He had a broad face
And a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed
Like a bowl full of jelly.
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.
He spoke not a word
But went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings,
Then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger
Aside of his nose
And giving a nod
Up the chimney he rose.
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,
"Merry Christmas,
Merry Christmas To All"
"Merry Christmas,
Merry Christmas To All"
"Merry Christmas,
Merry Christmas To All"
"Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas To All'
"Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas To All"
''Merry Christmas
MerryChristmas To All!"
