I received this in email today and thought I would share it. Something I rarely do!
T’WAS 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 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, AN AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO, OF WHOM I’D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES, THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS, WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS 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 EYE, I DROPPED TO MY KNEES, AND
STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED, AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
“SANTA, DON’T 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,
WHISPERED, “CARRY ON SANTA, ITS 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.”
I’ve done a bit of research and found this has been floating round the net since at least 1996. Still rings true today and I only wish I could properly credit the author…
{ 5 } Thoughts
Lovely.
Timeless.
Kelly
I’ve seen this before but loved re-reading it. No one sent it to me this year.
When you think about these kids over in Iraq and other parts of the world your heart has to go out to them if only for their self-sacrifice.
Nice post to keep these soldiers in the hearts and minds of the world.
Ah, were it that easy, huh?
~m
Glad you like it. And you know what? It is this easy to keep them in out hearts and minds. It’s the least we can do.
Kelly
i love all of the versions of this poem - i believe the first one was written during the revolutionary war (believe it or not). there is something about thinking of our valiant young men and women making the ultimate sacrifice that gives one pause - and a feeling of profound pride and gratitude.
sarah
I would believe it, it’s absolutely timeless. I have so much admiration and respect for those that are in the defences.
Kelly
Be it an Aussie soldier, American or any other, this touches the heart.
It does not matter what war, police action or other dangerous mission they serve in, these boys and girls deserve so much more than they get. Choice or no…none of them choose to carry guns and kill.
Send them all home, and keep them home, taking care of their own families and friends.
Cris, whilst I also think that bringing them home and keeping them home is a fantastic idea, it’s not always the right, or best thing to do.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
Kelly
You’re right Kelly, this poem has been around for a long time now and I recall seeing it last Christmas while I was deployed so many thousands of miles from home and loved ones.
On reading it again, it stills instills a sense of pride as we know people think of us and the sacrifices that we make to try and bring stability and peace to this sometimes chaotic world.
Tony, your a darling, thanks for talking with us about this last night…You should be VERY proud.
Kelly
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