Twas the Night Before Christmas

‘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 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 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.

The moon on the breast
of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of midday
to objects below.

When, what to my wondering
eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh,
and eight tiny reindeer.