'Twas the night before Christmas,
he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of
plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney
with presents to give
and to see just who
in this home did live.
I looked all about,
a strange sight I did see.
No tinsel. No presents
Not even a tree.
No stocking by the mantle,
just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures,
of far distant lands.
With medals and badges,
awards of all kinds,
a sober thought,
came through my mind.
For this house was different,
it was dark and dreary.
I found the home of a soldier,
once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping,
silent, alone.
Curled up on the floor
in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle,
the room in such disorder.
Not how I pictured
a United States soldier.
Was this the hero
of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho,
the floor for a bed?
I realized the familes
that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers
who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world,
children would play
and grown-ups would celebrate
a bright Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom,
each month of the year
because of the soldiers,
like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder
how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve
in a land far from home.
The very thought
brought a tear to my eyes,
I dropped to my knees
and started to cry.
The soldier awakened
and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa dont' cry,
this life is my choice."
"I fight for freedom.
I don't ask for more.
My life is my God,
my country, my corps."
The soldier rolled over
and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours,
so silent and still
and we both shivered
from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave
on that cold, dark night,
this Guardian of Honor,
so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over,
with a voice soft and pure,
whisperd, "Carry on Santa,
it's Christmas Day, all is secure."
One look at my watch
and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas, my friend,
and to all a good night."
Link to MP3 of song
WMA format, better quality, but I think you need windows media player 9
he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of
plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney
with presents to give
and to see just who
in this home did live.
I looked all about,
a strange sight I did see.
No tinsel. No presents
Not even a tree.
No stocking by the mantle,
just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures,
of far distant lands.
With medals and badges,
awards of all kinds,
a sober thought,
came through my mind.
For this house was different,
it was dark and dreary.
I found the home of a soldier,
once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping,
silent, alone.
Curled up on the floor
in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle,
the room in such disorder.
Not how I pictured
a United States soldier.
Was this the hero
of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho,
the floor for a bed?
I realized the familes
that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers
who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world,
children would play
and grown-ups would celebrate
a bright Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom,
each month of the year
because of the soldiers,
like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder
how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve
in a land far from home.
The very thought
brought a tear to my eyes,
I dropped to my knees
and started to cry.
The soldier awakened
and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa dont' cry,
this life is my choice."
"I fight for freedom.
I don't ask for more.
My life is my God,
my country, my corps."
The soldier rolled over
and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours,
so silent and still
and we both shivered
from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave
on that cold, dark night,
this Guardian of Honor,
so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over,
with a voice soft and pure,
whisperd, "Carry on Santa,
it's Christmas Day, all is secure."
One look at my watch
and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas, my friend,
and to all a good night."
Link to MP3 of song
WMA format, better quality, but I think you need windows media player 9
