Twas the night before Christmas also called “A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore, written in 1822
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the bunkhouse
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
Mended socks were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The riders were nestled all snug in their bunks
while Cody had visions of goodies to be found in their trunks.
And Ike in his 'kerchief, and Lou lying against Kid's lap,
all had just settled their brains for a long winter's nap.
When out in the barn there arose such a clatter,
Jimmy and Buck sprang from their bunks, guns drawn, to see what was the matter.
Away to the windows they 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 the horses below.
When what to Noah's wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature buckboard, and eight fake reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick
they knew in a moment in must be Teaspoon dressed as St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his curses they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name!
Now Katy, now Lightning, now Soda and Sundancer!
On Dasher, on Donder, on Blitzen and Prancer!
To the top of the porch to the top of the wall,
now dash away, dash away, dash away all!
As tumbleweeds before the wild horses fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the porch-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of gifts, and St Teaspoon too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the ground
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof round.
As Rachel drew in her head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Teaspoon came with a bound.
He was dressed in red longjohns, from his head to his boot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of goodies 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 stubble on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stem of an onion he held tight in his teeth,
And the loose layers encircled his mouth 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, as big as several elves,
And they all laughed when they saw him, in spite of themselves!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave them to know they had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the socks, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger inside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his buckboard, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But they heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and Ride Safe every night!"