A Visit From St. Nicholas ('Twas The Night Before Christmas)

[00:00.05] This is Louis Satchmo Armstrong
[00:03.91] Talking to all the kids
[00:06.07] From all over the world
[00:08.72] At Christmastime
[00:12.09] 'Twas the night before Christmas
[00:16.43] When all through the house
[00:19.72] Not a creature was stirring
[00:23.07] Not even a mouse
[00:26.09] The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
[00:31.40] In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there
[00:36.92] The children were nestled all snug in their beds
[00:42.42] While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads
[00:50.22] And mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap
[00:55.80] Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap
[01:03.19] When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
[01:08.86] I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter
[01:16.66] Away to the window, I flew like a flash
[01:21.24] Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash
[01:26.51] The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
[01:30.97] Gave the luster of midday to objects below
[01:37.71] When what to my wondering eyes should appear?
[01:43.62] But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer
[01:50.24] With a little old driver, so lively and quick
[01:54.44] I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick
[02:00.31] More rapid than eagles his coursers they came
[02:06.35] And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name
[02:12.68] Now, dasher! Now, dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
[02:21.63] On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donder and Blitzen!
[02:31.46] To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
[02:37.46] Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!
[02:44.59] As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
[02:51.62] When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
[02:58.56] So up to the housetop, the coursers they flew
[03:04.67] With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too
[03:10.75] And then, in a twinkle, I heard on the roof
[03:15.76] The prancing and the pawing of each little hoof
[03:21.60] As I drew my head and was turning around
[03:26.87] Down the chimney, St. Nicholas came with a bound
[03:32.23] He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot
[03:37.80] And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot
[03:44.57] A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back
[03:49.05] And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack
[03:56.52] His eyes, how they twinkled, his dimples how merry
[04:03.70] His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry
[04:10.45] His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
[04:15.81] And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow
[04:23.28] The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth
[04:30.21] And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath
[04:36.57] He had a broad face and a little round belly
[04:42.08] That shook when he laughed, like a bowl of jelly
[04:49.40] He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf
[04:56.67] And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself
[05:01.80] A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
[05:06.43] Soon gave me to know that I had nothing to dread
[05:13.22] He spoke not a word but went straight to his work
[05:19.61] And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk
[05:26.48] And laying his finger aside of his nose
[05:31.10] And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose
[05:37.55] He sprang to his sleigh, to his team he gave a whistle
[05:45.25] And away they all flew like the down of a thistle
[05:52.35] But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight
[05:59.45] "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"
[06:08.38] A very good night
[06:11.62] And there goes your Satchmo Armstrong
[06:15.22] Thank you
[06:16.83]