'twas the Night Before Christmas

'twas the Night Before Christmas - Arthur Godfrey

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

The children were nestled all snug their beds

While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads

And mamma 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

Away to the window i flew like a flash

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But a miniature sleigh and eight tinny reindeer

With a little old driver so lively and quick

I knew in a moment it must be st nick

More rapid than eagles his reindeers 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 donner and blitzen

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

Dash away dash away dash away all

Up to the house top the reindeers they flew

With the sleigh full of toys and st nicholas too

And then in a twinkling i heard on the roof

The clattering noise of each gallaping hoof

I drew in my head and was turning around

When down the chimney he came with a bound

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack

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 ere he drove out of sight

Merry christmas to all and to all a good night