Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the camp

Not a creature was stirring, not even Champlain Champ;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that Rabbit and Turnip would soon be there;

The members were nestled all snug in there bed,

While visions of fish danced in their heads;

And fishermom in her kerchief and Celeste in her cap

Had just settled their brains for a long winter’s nap,

When out in the campsite there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was a matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw open the sash.

The moon on the breast of the heavy dew,

Gave the luster of midday to shine on Sue.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

Was Dave and Nancy so near.

A little old driver so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be turnip.

More rapid than Land Locks his coursers they came,

He whistled and shouted and called them by name;

Now rabbit! Now wellsley! Now Dave and Nancy!

On Canepole! On Fishermom! On Stan and Hoot!

To the top of the dock! To the top of the launch!

Now float away! Float away! Float away all!

So up to the launch the coursers they flew,

With a boat full of lures and turnip too.

As I drew in my head and was turning around,

Down the chimney turnip came with a bound,

He was dressed in feathers from head to toe,

His clothes were tarnished like he had no dough.

A bundle of lures he had flung on his back,

He looked like a peddler who just opened his pack.

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.

A piece of a pie was held tight in his teeth,

The crumbs in his beard encircle like a wreath.

He had a board face and a big round belly,

That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump and a right jolly old elf,

Big dog and little dog laughed when they saw him,

He spoke not a word but went straight to his work,

And he filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside his nose,

Giving a nod up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his boat, to his team he gave a whistle,

And away the flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim ‘ere he drove out of sight,

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!!!