Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the housenot a creature was stirring not even a mouse. In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there; While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; and mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap,had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my ned to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the stash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow, gave a lustre of midday to objects below,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer, with a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment he 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 and Vixen!On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"