‘Twas the night before finals and all through the dorm, 

Every creature of stirring, and that was the norm. 

All the typewriters sung from window to stair, 

In hopes that the profs would not even care.

The seniors were nestled all snug in their beds, 

Blurred visions of comps all danced in their heads. 

The frosh in their frenzy, the sophs in the slump, 

Had all settled into a long winter’s grump.

When out on the lawn rose such a clatter, 

They rose from their beds to see what was the matter. 

Away to the windows they flew like a flash, 

Tore open the windows and throw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen rain, 

Gave a luster of midnight to that feeling of pain. 

And what to their wondering eyes should appear… 

But a bus going to Kellys, drawing all near.

With a little driver so lively and quick,

They knew in a moment it must be St. Nick! 

More rapid than lightening, these scholars, they came, 

And he whistles and shouted and called them by name.

To Lancaster Pike, to the bar down the corner, 

Now Dash away, Dash away, Dash away all!

As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly, 

When they meet an obstacle mount to the sky.

So now at the steps the scholars got pep, 

With thirsts that were whet 

And a need that was met!

Then in a twinkle they heard on the roof 

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. 

As they lightened their heads and pranced all around, 

Down through the tap, St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in foam from his head to his toe. 

He motioned a toast and let the beer flow! 

The bundle of girls had found what they lack, 

And right there they vowed they had to go back.

His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples how merry, 

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry, 

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, 

And the foam ‘or his mouth was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

 And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. 

He had a broad face and a round little belly, 

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

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

And they laughed when they saw him, in spite of their selves 

A wink of his eye, a twist of his head, 

soon let them know they had nothing to dread.

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

He filled every beer without even a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose, 

and giving a nod,

Up through the tap, he suddenly rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And they all flew, like down of a thistle 

But they heard them exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, 

“FOLLY FINALS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD 

NIGHT.”