Twas the night before Christmas and all through the shack
The mice were stirring and never looked back
Far from riches but never too poor
Their festive spirit was their grand allure
Jingle squeaked and complained he was cold
As he wrapped a present that was 10 years old
Merry nibbled a crumb and decorated the tree
Which was a branch in the corner thanks to chickadee
Nick scurried around, searching high and low
For some tape and string to attach a frilly bow
Then a knock on the door brought three guests from town
Welcome Theodore, Josephine and Molly Jane Brown
They were elegantly dressed in fine furs and lace
And sat right down like they owned the place
Little Darby cut the cheese but swore it wasn’t him
As the candlelight flickered and made the room dim
Sister Lena giggled and teased her older brother
Until a fight ensued and mama separated each other
Papa said if you don’t behave you’ll get nothing in your sock
All you’ll find in the morning is a tiny little rock
Lena grumbled and didn’t believe Santa would do that
Even though she told a fib and said he wasn’t fat
The mantelpiece was radiant with glitter everywhere
A photo of Uncle Tom showed his wild and wooly hair
Next to him cousin Abe stared with beady eyes
The children loved his stories because he never compromised
Off to bed, Nana said, to a symphony of groans
As a little snack they each received a slice of honeycomb
She tucked them in with a raspberry kiss and said a little prayer
For all of the other children who didn’t have a teddy bear
Santa won’t forget them, Lena whispered in her pillow
And dreamed of marching teddies in a field of weeping willows
Merry Christmas, everyone, they shouted with such glee
Bearing gifts and gumdrops and sailing off to sea