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Twas the night before |
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ChristmasWhen all through the house |
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Not a creature was stirring |
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Not even a mouse |
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The stockings all hung |
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By the chimney with care |
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In hopes that |
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St. Nicholas |
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Soon would be there |
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The children were nestled |
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All safe in their beds |
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While visions of sugarplums |
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Danced in their heads |
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And Mom in her kerchief |
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And I in my cap |
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Had just settled down |
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For a long winters nap |
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When out on the lawn |
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There arose such a clatter |
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I sprang from my bed |
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To see what was the matter |
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Away to the window |
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I flew like a flash |
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Tore open the shutters |
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And threw up the sash |
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The moon on the breast |
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Of the new fallen snow |
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Gave the luster of midday |
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To object below |
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When, what to my wandering eyes |
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Should appear |
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But a miniature sleigh |
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And eight tiny reindeer |
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With a little ol' driver |
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So lively and quick |
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I knew in a moment |
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It must be |
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St. NickMore rapid than eagles |
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His courses they came |
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As he whistled and shouted |
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And called them by name"Now Dasher, now DancerNow Prancer, now VixenOn Comet, on CupidOn Doner, and Blitzen""To the top of the porchTo the top of the wallNow dash away, dash awayDash away all" |
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As dry leaves before the wild |
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Hurricane fly when they meet |
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With an obstacle |
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Mount to the sky |
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So up to the housetop |
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The courses they flew |
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With a sleigh full of toys |
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And St. Nicholas too |
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And then in a twinkling |
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I heard on the roof |
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The prancing and pawing |
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Of each little hoof |
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As I drew in my head |
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And was turning around |
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Down the chimney, |
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St. Nicholas |
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Came with a bound |
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He was dressed, all in fur |
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From his head to his foot |
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And his clothes |
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Were all tarnished |
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With ashes and soot |
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A bundle of toys |
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He had flung on his back |
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And he looked like a peddler |
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Just opening his pack |
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His eyes, how they twinkle |
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His dimples how merry |
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His cheeks were like roses |
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His nose like a cherry |
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His drawl little mouth |
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Was drawn up like a bow |
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And the beard of his chin |
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Was a white as the snow |
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The stump of his pipe |
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He held tight in his teeth |
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And the smoke it |
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Encircled his head like a wreath |
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He had a broad face |
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And a round little belly |
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That shook when he laughed |
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Like a bowl full of jelly |
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He was chubby and plump |
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A right jolly old elf |
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I laughed when |
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I saw himIn spite of myself |
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A wink of his eye |
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And a twist of his head |
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Soon gave me to know |
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I had nothing to dread |
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He spoke not a word |
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But went straight |
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To his work and filled |
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All the stockings |
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Then turned with a jerk |
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An laying a finger |
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Along side his nose |
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An giving a nod |
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Up the chimney he rose |
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He sprang to his sleigh |
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To his team gave a whistle |
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An away, they all flew |
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Like the down of a thistle |
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But I heard him exclaim |
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As he drove out of sight |
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Happy Christmas to all |
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And to all a goodnight |
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Hmm |
