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It was the night before |
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ChristmasWhen all through the house |
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Not a creature was stirring |
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Not even a mouse |
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The stockings all hung |
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By the chimney with care |
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In hopes that |
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St. Nicholas |
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Soon would be there |
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The children were nestled |
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All safe in their beds |
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While visions of sugarplums |
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Danced in their heads |
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And mom in her kerchief |
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And I in my cap |
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Had just settled down |
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For a long winter's nap |
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When out on the lawn |
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There arose such a clatter |
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I sprang from my bed |
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To see what was the matter |
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Away to the window |
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I flew like a flash |
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Tore open the shutters |
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And threw up the sash |
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The moon on the breast |
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Of the new fallen snow |
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Gave the lustre of midday |
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To object below |
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When what to my wandering eyes |
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Should appear |
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But a miniature sleigh |
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And eight tiny reindeer |
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With a little ol' driver |
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So lively and quick |
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I knew in a moment |
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It must be |
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St. NickMore rapid than eagles |
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His courses they came |
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As he whistled and shouted |
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And called them by name |
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And quot, now dasher |
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Now dancer |
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Now prancer |
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Now vixenOn comet |
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On cupidOn doner |
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An' blitzen' and quot |
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To the top of the porch |
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To the top of the wall |
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Now dash away, dash away |
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Dash away all |
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As dry leaves |
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Before the wild hurricane fly |
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When they meet with an obstacle |
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Mount to the sky |
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So, up to the housetop |
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The courses they flew |
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With a sleigh full of toys |
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And St. Nicholas too |
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And then in a twinkling |
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I heard on the roof |
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The prancing and pawing |
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Of each little hoof |
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As I drew in my head |
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And was turning around |
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Down the chimney |
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St. Nicholas |
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Came with a bound |
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He was dressed all in fur |
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From his head to his foot |
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And his clothes were all tarnished |
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With ashes and soot |
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A bundle of toys |
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He had flung on his back |
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And he looked like a peddler |
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Just opening his pack |
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His eyes how they twinkled |
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His dimples how merry |
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His cheeks were like roses |
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His nose like a cherry |
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His drawl little mouth |
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Was drawn up like a bow |
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And the beard of his chin |
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Was a white as the snow |
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The stump of his pipe |
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He held tight in his teeth |
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And the smoke it encircled his head |
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Like a wreath |
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He had a broad face |
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And a round little belly |
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That shook when he laughed |
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Like a bowl full of jelly |
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He was chubby and plump |
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A right jolly old elf |
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I laughed when |
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I saw himIn spite of myself |
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A wink of his eye |
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And a twist of his head |
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Soon gave me to know |
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I had nothing to dread |
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He spoke not a word |
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But went straight to his work |
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And filled all the stockings |
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Then turned with a jerk |
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An' laying a finger |
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Along side his nose |
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An' giving a nod |
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Up the chimney he rose |
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He sprang to his sleigh |
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To his team gave a whistle |
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An' away they all flew |
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Like the down of a thistle |
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But I heard him exclaim |
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As he drove out of sight |
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And quot, |
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Happy Christmas to all |
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And to all a goodnight and quot |
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Hm |
