The night before Christmas.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

in hopes that St. Nick would soon be there.



The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.




Down the chimney St. 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.



His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!



His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.



He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then 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 all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."