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| This is the first version of the poem to attribute it to Clement Moore, a friend of Hoffman's. Hoffman changed the original reindeer name Dunder to its present day Donder. A favorite oath of Dutch Henry Livingston was Thunder and Lightning! That is, Dunder and Blixem!. |
| 1 | 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, |
| 2 | Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; |
| 3 | The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, |
| 4 | In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; |
| 5 | The children were nestled all snug in their beds, |
| 6 | While visions of sugar-plums danced through their heads; |
| 7 | And mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, |
| 8 | Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap- |
| 9 | When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, |
| 10 | I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter: |
| 11 | Away to the window I flew like a flash, |
| 12 | Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash. |
| 13 | The moon, on the breast of the new-fallen snow, |
| 14 | Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below. |
| 15 | When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, |
| 16 | But a minature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer, |
| 17 | With a little old driver, so lively and quick, |
| 18 | I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. |
| 19 | More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, |
| 20 | And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; |
| 21 | "Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer! now Vixen! |
| 22 | On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Donder and Blixen- |
| 23 | To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! |
| 24 | Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!" |
| 25 | As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, |
| 26 | When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, |
| 27 | So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, |
| 28 | With the sleigh full of toys - and St. Nicholas too. |
| 29 | And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof |
| 30 | The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. |
| 31 | As I drew in my head, and was turning around, |
| 32 | Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. |
| 33 | He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, |
| 34 | And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; |
| 35 | A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, |
| 36 | And he look'd like a peddler just opening his pack. |
| 37 | His eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry! |
| 38 | His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry; |
| 39 | His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, |
| 40 | And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. |
| 41 | The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, |
| 42 | And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath. |
| 43 | He had a broad face and a little round belly |
| 44 | That shook, when he laugh'd, like a bowl full of jelly. |
| 45 | He was chubby and plump; a right jolly old elf; |
| 46 | And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself. |
| 47 | A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head |
| 48 | Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. |
| 49 | He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, |
| 50 | And fill'd all the stockings; then turn'd with a jerk, |
| 51 | And laying his finger aside of his nose, |
| 52 | And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. |
| 53 | He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, |
| 54 | And away they all flew like the down of a thistle; |
| 55 | But I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight, |
| 56 | "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" |
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Mary S. Van Deusen Copyright © 2003, InterMedia Enterprises |
