St Nicholas And The Three Purses of Gold by Tim Hallett & Nicholas Richards

Who rides, who rides through the watches of night, All cloaked and hooded and stark? And what is his mission and where does he dash On his galloping horse through the dark? St Nicholas - off to another good deed: A bishop who cares for the poor. Kind St Nicholas, holy St Nicholas: Watch as he passes your door! He's known through the land as the Cleric Who Cares: A noble and generous man. If you are suffering, if you are needy St Nick will do all that he can. But who are the poor that tonight he will help? And what will his kindly deed be? A family in need; if you want to know more, Follow him now and you'll see. St Nicholas - off to another good deed: A bishop who cares for the poor. Kind St Nicholas, holy St Nicholas: Watch as he passes your door! He's heard of a family whose fortune is low, A couple with young daughters three; He wants to know more of their saga of woe. Come to their house and you'll see. It came to pass in the land of Lycia A man had fallen on the hardest of times. Poor, poor man - the hardest of times! He had little wealth; he couldn't afford To marry his daughters: the fairest of girls! Poor, poor girls - the hardest of times! Once he was rich, Quite well-to-do; Hadn't a care, But he hadn't a clue! Wasn't too careful, Lost all his wealth; What should he do now? He hadn't a clue! His wife was so angry: What are we to do For poor Theodora Melissa and Sue? How can they marry Without any money? Where is their dowry? He hadn't a clue. Poor, poor man: he hadn't a clue! Poor, poor man - the harshest of wives! Theodora was the eldest, and then came Melissa After that the youngest with the simple name Sue. Little, little Sue, with the simplest of names! They needed a dowry - money for a husband, Or the husband's family would surely say no. No to a marriage: the saddest of noes! "Shall we never marry?" Theodora cried. "Future as a spinster!" Melissa sighed. They looked to their father, Their stern mother too. "It's just not fair!" Moaned little Sue. Poor, poor Father: He hadn't a clue! Then who should ride by but the great St Nicholas! Heard as he passed what the family required In this bleak and grim and hardest of times. Kept out of sight as he learned of their sadness, Then galloped back home with a plan in his mind For those unmarried girls to be the best of wives. Who rides, who rides through the watches of night, All cloaked and hooded and stark? And what is his mission and where does he dash On his galloping horse through the dark? St Nicholas off to another good deed: A bishop who cares for the poor; Kind St Nicholas, holy St Nicholas: Watch as he passes your door! He's known through the land as the Cleric who Cares: A noble and generous man. If you are suffering, if you are needy St Nick will do all that he can. Up to the window, Burglar-like, Nicholas crept. Soundless he loomed, A bag in his hand, While the family slept. In through the window Nicholas dropped His welcome gift. And then stole away Into the dark; His horse so swift! Next morning, first light, when Father arose, He saw with surprise the purse on the floor. He opened it fast and found there inside Twenty gold coins! - maybe more. "Theodora awake, and hear the good news!" He crowed as the family stirred. "We'll get you a husband with this tidy sum! But who left this gift with no word?" Melissa and Sue were delighted of course; But wondered what their fate would be. Shall we have purses? they asked themselves; Do we have husbands-to-be? They need not have worried, they need not have feared. Not very much later, one night, St Nicholas came and left yet more gold, To the hopeful Melissa's delight. Father was anxious to thank this kind man, So he kept a close watch every night. And when, sure enough, St Nick dropped the third purse, Father gave the good man...quite a fright! He leapt to the window And grabbed the saint's hand; When he looked at his face He could now understand. "I recognise you! We all know you well! Of the deeds of Nicholas We've all heard tell! "I thank you, sir, As much as I can! You are truly a saint! So generous a man! "Such anguish you've taken From me and my wife, Now my daughters are saved From a miserable life!" So it came to pass in the land of Lycia Three daughters were saved from the hardest of times By good St Nicholas: kindest of men! Who rides, who rides through the watches of night On his mission to help those in need? St Nicholas comes - Santa Claus if you will; He's off to another good deed! St Nicholas - off to another good deed: A bishop who cares for the poor. Kind St Nicholas, holy St Nicholas: Watch as he passes your door! The story of Nicholas speaks to us now Of virtues to help those in need: Kindness and Gentleness, Holiness, Charity, Goodness in word and in deed.