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Yes.....it's that time of year again....[:0][:p][:)]
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the Tavern
The glasses were filled, even the teetotalers were have'n
Officers in blue, there were others in gray, some sat at the bar, others at tables
Telling tales of past victories, all great, most just plain fables
When outside in the darkness there came such a clatter
All the patrons jumped up to see just what was the matter
A movement they spotted through frosty windows so cold
What was that, could it be, a caisson painted bright red and trimed out all in gold
Pulled by six mules, their harness decked with shiny bells made of brass
Such fine looking beasts, would believe the father of each was an ass
With ears as long as summer corn, their hoofs clicked a tune as they trotted past
The driver he called to each mule then the other, each one first till the last
Whoa Francis, whoa Hector the leads of the hitch, whoa Bessie then Blue
Whoa Cupcake, whoa Gus to a halt all did come, then the caisson did too
With reins tight in his hands as he came to a stop, all could see who it was
'Twas St.Nicholas himself, with presents for all, cause that's what he does
From his trousers to his shell jacket and the Kepi on his head
He was dressed like an artilleryman decked out in crimsom red
His long whiskers were white as was the trim on his boot
One could see at a glance for fashion Santa didn't give a hoot
Well quick as a flash he sprang to the ground from his seat
Then spun round to the box on the caisson in a slow motion leap
Scratching the hair on his chin all the while checking his list
You know even for Santa it's not easy finding the perfect gift
As he lifted the lid with a twinkle in his eye, getting it right was a matter of pride
A chuckle on his lips he knew just what was needed as he reached deep inside
For Johnny there were new brogans of leather, shiny black
And a canvas haversack filled to top with bacon and hard tack
For Billy a warm blanket made of the finest worsened wool
canned peaches and a seven shot Spencer....Santa's no fool
But time she's a waste'n, so many more stops he must make
For most folks that seems impossible but for Santa it's cake
Back on the caisson he jumped, and with a whistle and yell
He started the team on their way, across hill and across dell
He was heard to exclaim as he dropped out of sight
<font color="red"> <font size="6">Merry Christmas to all and to all a good-night! </font id="size6"></font id="red"> </b></font id="beige">
<center><font color="beige"><b>Maj.Gen. R.A.Weir
<font color="blue"><font size="4">AoA Chief of Staff</font id="size4"></font id="blue"></b></font id="beige">
<font color="yellow">THE CALVERT LINE</font id="yellow">
<font color="beige"><b>4th ENGINEERS
2nd II
<font size="5">AoA</font id="size5"></b></font id="beige"> </center>