Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring
Not even a mouse
The stockings all hung
By the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas
Soon would be there
The children were nestled
All safe in their beds
While visions of sugarplums
Danced in their heads
And Mom in her kerchief
And I in my cap
Had just settled down
For a long winters 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
The moon on the breast
Of the new fallen snow
Gave the luster of midday
To object below
When, what to my wandering eyes
Should appear
But a miniature sleigh
And eight tiny reindeer
With a little ol' driver
So lively and quick
I knew in a moment
It must be St. Nick
More rapid than eagles
His courses they came
As he whistled and shouted
And called them by name