'Twas the Night Before Christmas (圣诞前夜) - Jo Stafford

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 soon would be there

The children were nestled all snug through their beds

While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads

And mamma in her kerchief and i in my cap

Had just settled brains for a long winter's nap

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

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But a miniature sleigh and eight tinny reindeer

With a little old driver so lively and quick

I knew in a moment it 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 on donner and blitzen

To the top of the porch to the top of the wall

Now dash away dash away dash away all

So up to the house top the coursers they flew

With the sleigh full of toys and st nicholas too

And then in a twinkling i heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof

He was all dressed in fur from his head to his foot

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot

As I drew in my head

And was turning around

Down the chimney

St Nicholas

Came with a bound

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

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath

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

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 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