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
Would soon be there

The children were nestled
All snug in their beds
While visions of sugar-plums
Danced in their heads

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 mid-day
To the objects below

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
I knew in an instant
It must be Saint 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!"

And then, in a twinkling
I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing
Of each little hoof

As I drew in my head
And was turning around
Down the chimney Saint Nicholas
Came with a bound

He was dressed all in fur
From his head to his foot
And his clothes were all tarnished
With ashes and soot

A bundle of toys
He had flung on his back
And he looked like a peddler
Just opening his pack

His eyes, how they twinkled
His dimples so merry
His cheeks were rosey
And his nose like a cherry

His droll little mouth
Was drawn up like a bow
And the beard on his chin
Was as white as the snow

He was chubby and plump
A right jolly old elf
And I laughed when I saw him
In spite of myself

A wink of his eye
And a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know
I had nothing to dread

He spoke not a word
But went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings
Then he turned with a jerk

And laying his 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 flew
Like the down of a thistle

But I heard him exclaim
As he drove out of sight
"Merry Christmas you all
And to all a good-night!"