Twas The Night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house; there wasn't a creature stirring not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that Nicholas soon would be there. The children were all snuggled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads. And mommy in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down 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 I flew...away to the window I flew like a flash, opened the shutters and blew up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the luster of mid-night...to objects below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a stable of...a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer. With a little old driver, so lively and quick, [up the chimney he rose!] I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name! Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and ***! On, Cupid! On, Comet! on Dasher and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! [to the top of the porch!] to the top of the wall! [to the top of the porch!] Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all! So up to the house-top they flew, with the sleigh full of toys, [and eight tiny reindeer], and St Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each tiny hoof. [As I drew in my head, and up the chimney...As I drew in my head up the chimney he rose!] As I drew in my head, and was turning around,[up the chimney he rose!] Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound. [He was dressed in all fur, from his head to his toe, and (in the snow on the house?) up the chimney he rose!] He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. [up and in the house up the chimney he rose!] A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack. His eyes-how they twinkled! His dimples how merry! [His cheeks were all drawn up like a bow] His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and his beard on his chin was as white as the snow. He had a broad face and a round little belly, that shook like a ...when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly! [what?] He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, [and I laughed like a bowl full of jelly] And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself! A wink of his eye and twist of his head, Soon gave me, Soon gave me to know [what?! what?] I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight....goes straight to his work, and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk. And laying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose! He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, [and up the chimney he rose!] And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. And I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight, Merry Christ...Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!