T’was the night before Christmas, when all through the yard
Not a Truck was stirring, not even a van.
The trailers were parked by the fence with care,
In hopes that wash crew soon would be there.
The drivers were nestled all snug in their bunks,
While visions of chrome danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lot there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bunk to see what was the matter.
Away to the windshield I flew like a flash,
Tore open the curtains and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a black Jag, just back from Tim Horton’s.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
We knew in a moment it must be John.
More rapid than eagles his Jag flew through the lot,
and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Ken! now, Scott! now, Tom and Tina!
On, Eddie! On, Rodger! On, Todd and Tom!
To the Shippers we go! To pick up those loads!
Now haul away! Haul away! Haul away all!"
And then, in a twinkling, I heard the ring of Dispatch,
As I grabbed my gear and headed inside,
up the stairs he came with a bound.
He was dressed all in Lion’s gear, from his head to his foot,
and his clothes were tarnished with salt and sand.
A bundle of Jameson he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a Bartender, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
and filled all the trucks, then turned with a wave.
And down the stairs he went!
He sprang to his Jag, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all drove like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
Not a Truck was stirring, not even a van.
The trailers were parked by the fence with care,
In hopes that wash crew soon would be there.
The drivers were nestled all snug in their bunks,
While visions of chrome danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lot there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bunk to see what was the matter.
Away to the windshield I flew like a flash,
Tore open the curtains and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a black Jag, just back from Tim Horton’s.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
We knew in a moment it must be John.
More rapid than eagles his Jag flew through the lot,
and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Ken! now, Scott! now, Tom and Tina!
On, Eddie! On, Rodger! On, Todd and Tom!
To the Shippers we go! To pick up those loads!
Now haul away! Haul away! Haul away all!"
And then, in a twinkling, I heard the ring of Dispatch,
As I grabbed my gear and headed inside,
up the stairs he came with a bound.
He was dressed all in Lion’s gear, from his head to his foot,
and his clothes were tarnished with salt and sand.
A bundle of Jameson he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a Bartender, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
and filled all the trucks, then turned with a wave.
And down the stairs he went!
He sprang to his Jag, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all drove like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
