By Clement Clarke Moore
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ 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 danc’d in their heads.
And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains 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 luster 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 call’d 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 head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound:
He was dress’d all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnish’d with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys was flung on his back,
And he look’d 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 laugh’d, like a bowl full of jelly:
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laugh’d 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 fill’d all the stockings; then turn’d with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprung 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.
Categories: #Photography, Christmas, Holidays, Literature, Marilyn Armstrong, Poetry
AH! The Classic. Love those old cards too.
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I knew the poem had been published in the 1800s — early in the century. It just took me a while to find all those different covers. I wish I’d found more of the inner illustrations too. They were wonderful. Like etchings.
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Same to you, Marilyn and Garry! Loved the vintage artwork in this one.
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I spent half a day finding all those different covers. Thank you for noticing 😀
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I love this! Thank you so much!
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I love it too! Merry Christmas!
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Merry Christmas Marilyn, I hope you and Garry enjoy a very special day and New Years as well. xoxoxoxo
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Merry Christmas Marilyn and thanks for sharing a beautiful memory for me! So lovely.
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It’s an old, but continuing memory for me, too. I read it in college on the radio, then i read it to my son when he was little. And to my granddaughter when she was little. And I still have a copy — several copies, actually — of the book.
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I memorized that poem when I was in kindergarten and had to recite it for Parent’s Day. I’ve forgotten almost all of it. Thank you for posting it and bringing back early memories of Christmas.
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I memorized it for the college radio station – WVHC. I did it every year on the air 😀
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A classic for sure….
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We used to do a special Christmas show at the college radio station and this was my piece. I used to know the entire poem by heart 😀 Now, I need reminders. Age.
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I always love that poem. I seem to be getting sentimental in my old age.
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It’s got a very easy rhythm to remember. I used to know the whole thing by heart, but I’ve lost a few lines these days. I love it too!
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I love this
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Who doesn’t? No complex religion. Just a bit of joy.
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yep
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Thanks for sharing. Thoroughly enjoyed it. 💖
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I know people love the poem and I used to read it to my son, then my granddaughter. So for anyone who doesn’t have the words, here they are. Read and enjoy! I got the idea from a Boston newspaper who always made this their front page story every year.
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💖😉
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