Quote:
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
{Down with head down from distance.}
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The dogs were nestled all snug in their beds,
{Kennel up}
While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads
And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap[1]*—*
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
{Call Hemi 2 paws up}
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,
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:
{Leg Weave each name}
"Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer and Vixen,
"On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixem;
"To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
"Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
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.
Toys spilled from the pack much to Hemis glee. He picked up the toys toy and said Santa don't forget about me.
{Pick up toys}.
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
And a kiss from Hemi
{Kiss}
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And fill'd all the stockings; then turn'd with a jerk,
{Spin}
And laying his finger aside of his nose
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
{Roll over}
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*—*
{Wave bye to Santa}
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
{Bow}