Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the fog
Not a creature was stirring
Not even a dog
'Cept for one lonely traveller
Covered with snow
He knew it was crazy,
But knew he must go
Find his way to Mount Blunder
On this stormy night
And reach his fair daughter
By dawn's early light.
To spend Christmas parted
Would truly be sad,
And Yuletide's a time
For all men to be glad.
So onward trudged Reuben
(For that was his name)
Through the wind and the ice
And the snow as it came.
With no moon to guide him
Or even a star
How could he have thought
He could travel so far?
In this kind of weather
At this time of year,
But for one inspiration,
His daughter, so dear.
'Twas the night before Christmas
And on through the snow
Marched that devoted father
Named Reuben Clamzo.
He suddenly realized
He wasn't alone
For he heard a strange noise
Sounding o'er the wind's moan.
| 'Twas somewhat like a "swish",
Then a "woosh", then a "whop" -
Something flapping through air,
Then a glide, then a drop
Down to earth, then back up again
Floating through space.
'Twas not feathered or batwinged,
And not without grace.
No, it wasn't a bird
Of the sea or the land,
And it wasn't a mammal -
It looked like a clam!
It was Reuben's archenemy,
Fiend of the sea!
Whilst he reigned in the waters
Men couldn't live free!
But what was he doing
So far from the foam?
So far from the ocean?
So far from his home?
He was searching for Clamzo
O'er valley and peak.
He landed near Reuben
And started to speak.
"I know that it's me who
Does take you away
From your sweet, loving daughter
For many a day."
"It's our fight for the coastland
That makes you to roam
Far away from your loved one,
Away from your home."
"Now let's bury the clampoon
'Neath this Christmas sky
If just for this Yuletide
Let's give peace a try."
| "If just for this evening,
If just for this night,
Let's give up our quarrel.
Let's give up our fight."
"Just hop on," said the Clam,
"With your sackful of gifts,
And we'll glide o'er the ice
And the snow and the drifts.
"To the top of Mount Blunder -
We'll reach it by morn.
Celebrate with your daughter
Another Child born."
O'er the treetops they glided
And over the hills
Without any mishaps
Without any spills
Till they reached Reuben's cabin
On fair Blunder Mount.
They swooshed from the sky
And they fell to the ground.
In a snowdrift they landed
Near Reuben's front door.
He fought to his feet
But the Clam was no more
By his side - he was gone
With the wind and the snow.
Reuben looked to the heavens
From his spot below
Till he saw the faint movement
Of mollusk in air.
He sent thanks to the Clam
For his favor so fair.
And the Clam - he exclaimed
As he swished out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all,
And to all, a good flight!"
|
