Bright Eyes - The Night Before Christmas Lyrics
It was the night before Christmas, when all through the houseNot a creature was stirring, not even a mouseThe stockings were hung by the chimney with careIn hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be thereThe children were nestled, all snug in their bedsWhile visions of sugar-plums danced in their headsAnd mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my capHad just settled down for a long winter's napWhen out on the lawn there arose such a clatterI sprang from the bed to see what was the matterAway to the window I flew like a flashTore open the shutters and threw up the sashThe moon on the breast of the new-fallen snowGave the lustre of mid-day to objects belowWhen, what to my wondering eyes should appearBut a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeerWith a little old driver, so lively and quickI knew in a moment it must be St. NickMore rapid than eagles his coursers they cameAnd he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane flyWhen they meet with an obstacle, mount to the skySo up to the house-top the coursers they flewWith the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas tooAnd then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roofThe prancing and pawing of each little hoofAs I drew in my hand, and was turning aroundDown the chimney St. Nicholas came with a boundHe was dressed all in fur, from his head to his footAnd his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and sootA bundle of toys he had flung on his backAnd he looked like a peddler just opening his packHis 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 bowAnd the beard of his chin was as white as the snowThe stump of a pipe he held tight in his teethAnd the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreathHe had a broad face and a little round bellyThat shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jellyHe was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elfAnd I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myselfA wink of his eye and a twist of his headSoon gave me to know I had nothing to dreadHe spoke not a word, but went straight to his workAnd filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerkAnd laying his finger aside of his noseAnd giving a nod, up the chimney he roseHe sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistleAnd away they all flew like the down of a thistleBut I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night"
