Twas the night before christmas and all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
all the stockings were hung by the chimney with care
in the hope that saint niccholas soon would be there.
then, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
a little old driver so lively and quick,
i knew in a moment it must be saint nick.
and more rapid than eagles his reindeer all came
as he shouted �on dasher� and each reindeer's name.
and so up to the housetop the reindeer soon flew
with the sleigh full of toys and saint nicholas, too.
down the chimney he came with a leap and a bound;
he was dressed allin fur, and his belly was round.
he spoke not a word but went straight to his work,
and filled all the stocking, then turned with a jerk.
and laying his finger aside of his nose,
then giving a nod up the chimney he rose.
but i heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
�merry christmas to all and to all a good night!�