The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that more toys soon would be there.
Here I was nestled, all tied to the bed, while visions of bondage danced through my head.
My friend with no kerchief, but I in my cap, am now all tied down for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I can’t spring from the bed to see what was the matter.
My friend got the window he flew like a flash, threw open the shutters and tossed up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the lustre of mid-day to tied objects below.
When, what to his wondering eyes appeared, but a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
There was a driver, so lively and quick, we 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 Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, that mounts to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, with the sleigh full of Toys, and more bondage boys too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
I can’t draw my head, I can’t turn around, but there was St Nicholas who saw me all bound.
I was all dressed, I was all tied, my clothes were not tarnished, as I lay there with pride.
The bundle of Toys flung on to his back, made the Master look like he just opened the sack.
My head was all hooded, my dimples are merry! the cheeks became roses, the nose like a cherry!
My droll little mouth, tied up with gag, for now I'm one very, happy young lad.
There was a gag held tight in my teeth, though no smoke circled my head, along with no wreath.
He saw my cute face, and there's no round belly, but his shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And he laughed when he saw me, in spite of himself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know there could be something to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, helped tie one more boy, 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 away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But we heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
