’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of sugar-plums danced through their heads;
And Mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,