'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 in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
Mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled in for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my 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 did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.

He's going for Christmas
He's taking his flight
He's all alone
All alone on this wintry night

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
He's going for Christmas
Ho ho ho

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
His clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
He looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth, drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on 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 bowl full of jelly.

He's going for Christmas
He's taking his flight
He's all alone
All alone on this wintry night

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight:
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

He's going for Christmas
He's taking his flight
He's going for Christmas

Naughty. Or nice?
Noel, ho-ho, ho-ho