But Christmas comes but once a year.

The Christmas bills are pouring in,

My family's increasing fast;

Four girls, five boys—Ann, Kate, Jane, Sue,

Tom, Dick, Jack, Fred, and Prendergast:

And nurse has just come in to say,

Another "little stranger" dear

Is just arrived—there, that makes ten:—

But Christmas comes but once a year.

BOTHERUM ASTROLOGICUM PRO ANNO 1841.