Wednesday 24 December 2008

The Night before Christmas

Wishing all my dear on line friends a very Happy Christmas and New Year  may you have Good Health Wealth and Happiness in 2009

 

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Clement Clarke Moore
or Henry Livingston


'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;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down 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.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny 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, 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 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.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler 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 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." 

 

Pretty girl Ally

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14 comments:

Paula said...

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and may the New Year 2009 bring you everything you hope for.

Beth said...

Have a wonderful Christmas, Ally!

Hugs, Beth

Linda's World said...

Have a wonderful Christmas Ally....Linda & Gabi in Washington

Frances said...

Thanks, Ally, for posting that 'oldie but goodie'-"The Night Before Christmas". It was fun reading it after all these years. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

Frances

Joan said...

Wishing you and Lyne a ver Happy Christmas Love Joan and Stuart.

Jan said...

Lovely entry Ally hope you all have a lovely day tomorrow and Santa brings everything on your wish list ...love Jan xx

Hollie said...

Merry Christmas to you Ally!!! I love the story, "Twas The Night Before Christmas." I read that story every year to Colt at bedtime.....& yes he's 16 & I'm still planning on soing it... LOL

Chris/cacklinrosie101 said...

Merry, Merry Christmas, Ally! I never get tired of reading Twas the Night Before Christmas. Hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday! xx

Sara said...

I love that poem :o)

My J has been quiet as a mouse this evening since going to bed. Most unusual for him! Maybe he's listening out for Father Christmas :o)

Have a lovely Christmas Ally.

xxx

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

A very Merry Christmas to you and yours ! 'On Ya'-ma

Yasmin said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family Ally,

Hugs

Yasmin
xx

Linda :) said...

Merry Christmas!!!

Marie Rayner said...

Merry Christmas Ally to you and your family! XXOO

Carlene Noggle said...

HOPING YOU HAD A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS ALLY! THANKS FOR POSTING THE POEM...WE HAD TO MEMORIZE IT BACK IN GRADE SCHOOL AND I WAS SURPRISED THAT I STILL REMEMBERED BITS AND PIECES!
LOVE YA,
CARLENE