'twas the Night Before Christmas

'twas the Night Before Christmas - Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians

Lyrics by：Riley King

Composed by：Riley King

'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 in their wee little beds

While visions of sugar plums danced in their wee little heads

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 threw open the sash

And what to my wondering eyes should appear

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer

With a little old driver so lively and quick

That I knew right away that it must be St 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 now 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 dash away all

So up to the house top the coursers they flew

With the sleigh full of toys and St Nicholas too

And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof

All the clattering noise of these galloping hoofs

All bundled in fur from his head to his foot

His clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot

I drew in my head and was turning around

When down the chimney he came with a bound

A bag full of toys he had slung on his back

And he looked like a little old peddler

Just opening his pack

Eyes how they twinkled so gay

And dimples how merry were they

His cheeks were like roses when kissed by the sun

His nose like a cherry all wrinkled with fun

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow

The beard on his chin was as white as the snow

The stump of a little old pipe

He held tight in his teeth

The smoke went around and around

And around his head like a wreath

Oh he was so jolly and plump a right

Jolly old jolly old elf

And I laughed and I laughed and

I laughed when I saw him

In spite of myself

He had a round face

And a little round belly

That shook when he laughed

Like a bowl full of jelly

He gave me a wink of his eye and

A twist of his head

Judging by that sight

I knew all the while I had nothing to dread

He spoke no word

But went straight to his work

He filled all the stockings then turned with a jerk

And laying a 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 to all and to all good night

'Tis the night after Christmas

And all through the house

Not a creature is stirring not even a mouse

The presents are scattered and broken like tears

And St Nicholas won't come again for a year

The children are nestled

All snug in their wee little beds

While memories of sugar plums dance

In their wee little heads

Mamma in her kerchief pappa in his cap

Are settled at last

For a long winter's nap