Monday, December 21, 2009

An Old Fashioned Christmas


'Twas the night before Christmas and out on the ranch
The pond was froze over and so was the branch.

The snow was piled up belly-deep to a mule.
The kids were all home on vacation from school,
And happier young folks you never did see-
Just all sprawled around a-watchin' TV.

Then suddenly, some time around 8 o'clock,
There came a surprise that gave them a shock!
The power went off, the TV went dead!
When Grandpa came in from out in the shed
With an armload of wood, the house was all dark.

"Just what I expected," they heard him remark.
"Them power line wires must be down from the snow.
Seems sorter like times on the ranch long ago."
"I'll hunt up some candles," said Mom. "With their light,
And the fireplace, I reckon we'll make out all right."

The teenagers all seemed enveloped in gloom.
Then Grandpa came back from a trip to his room,
Uncased his old fiddle & started to play
That old Christmas song about bells on a sleigh.

Mom started to sing, and first thing they knew
Both Pop and the kids were all singing it, too.
They sang Christmas carols, they sang Holy Night,"
Their eyes all a-shine in the ruddy firelight.

They played some charades Mom recalled from her youth,
And Pop read a passage from God's Book of Truth.
They stayed up till midnight-and, would you believe,
The youngsters agreed 'twas a fine Christmas Eve.

Grandpa rose early, some time before dawn;
And when the kids wakened, the power was on.
"The power company sure got the line repaired quick,"
Said Grandpa - and no one suspected his trick.

Last night, for the sake of some old-fashioned fun,
He had pulled the main switch - the old Son-of-a-Gun!

- Anonymous

Until recently I'd not read this version of The Night Before Christmas. I'd love to give the writer credit if anyone knows who he/she is.

According to our local weatherman we have snow flurries in the forecast for Christmas. Since we're in Oklahoma and the weather can change on a dime, we'll see what happens. I'd love to have a White Christmas!

12 comments:

  1. We have snow predicted for northern New Mexico as well. I'd love a white Christmas this year!

    This is a cute version of the "Night Before Christmas" and I've not read it either! lol

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  2. Crossing fingers for that snow!!! We're in Southern OK and rarely get it here. The city usually does!

    Hum...I like the power off trick. Dare me?

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  3. so cute!!! "The snow was piled up belly-deep to a mule" is so funny.

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  4. What a great poem -- and great idea! I hope you get your snow, and I hope ours goes away!

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  5. That's great. I've never heard it, so I cannot help you identify the author, Sorry! Thanks for sharing!

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  6. heehee.. you can have the snow.. I'll keep a southern Christmas close to heart.

    Oh, I forgot to post that I love love love historic tours around the holidays. It just amazes me how folks open their doors to let complete strangers in, sharing the past and present and what is for the future to come.

    If you come my way, I'll be sure to plan each tour that is available to us.

    What a view my dear ~sigh~

    Olivia

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  7. That is a great poem..My "peoples" back home got plenty of snow..I do look for OKC area to get a splash of white Christmas eve but perhaps you will get more? Sounds like it to me!!

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  8. I've never seen that one before, but thanks. Hope you get a little snow!

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  9. Crossing my fingers for OK snow!! (I loved the mismatched sock site!)

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  10. Seasons Greetings! Thank you for stopping by my blog today and leaving such a sweet comment. It was very kind and deeply appreciated. Unfortunately, my father is no longer with me.

    I enjoyed reading through your blog this evening. The poem is great and rings true. I think most would rather connect with others and people do need to hang-up, shut-off and log out more often!
    I also liked the tour YOU gave of the Brown Mansion. It's a shame no photographs could be taken.

    Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas!
    Deborah

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  11. I love this!
    Sneaky Grandpa!
    A night they will remember forever.

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