A Visit from St. Nicholas

by Clement Clark Moore

adapted to Santa's perspective by Shannon Settles

'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 Yours Truly soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

And Ma in her ‘kerchief, and Pa in his cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

Pa sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window he 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 mid-day to objects below.

When, what to his wondering eyes should appear,

But a magnificent sleigh, and eight flying reindeer.

With a jolly old driver, so lively and quick,

Pa knew in a moment it must be St Nick.

More rapid than eagles my reindeer they came,

And I 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 fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the house-top my reindeer they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and Yours Truly, too.

And then, in a twinkling, Pa heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As he drew in his head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney I came (Thump) with a bound.

I was dressed all in fur, from my head to my foot,

And my clothes? A bit tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of toys I had flung on my back,

And I looked like a peddler, just opening my pack.

He saw my eyes twinkle, and my dimples (how merry)!

My cheeks were like roses, my nose like a cherry!

My droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of my chin? It’s as white as the snow.

A stick of sweet peppermint I held tight in my teeth,

It had been a decoration I plucked from a wreath.

I have a broad face and a big ol' round belly,

That shakes when I laugh, like a bowlful of jelly!

Pa thought me chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And he laughed when he saw me, in spite of himself!

A wink of my eye and a twist of my head,

Soon let Pa know he had nothing to dread.

I spoke not a word, but went straight to my work,

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

Then laying a finger aside of my nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney I rose!

I sprang to my sleigh, to my team gave a whistle,

And away we all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I made sure to exclaim, ‘fore I drove out of sight,

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

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