The Night Before Deer Season

T’was the night before deer season
and all through the bunkhouse,
not a creature was stirring,
except Trent and Paul quiet as a mouse.

The guns were all stacked by
the back door with care.
In hopes that the mad rush to the
boxstand would start there.

The hunters were nestled all snug
in their beds, while visions of
Thunderhoof danced in their heads.

With Rex and Burney freezing in the back
Paul and Trent plotted how to kill a big rack!

Then out in the yard arose such a clatter,
Paul and Trent loaded their guns to go see what's the matter.

Burney and Rex looked out at the new fallen snow,
and Hershel spoke up “I see a red glow!”

Then what to their wandering eyes should appear
but a miniature sleigh and eight giant horned deer.
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
Paul couldn’t get off a shot at the deer of St. Nick!

“On Dasher! On Dancer, On Prancer and Vixen,
Run Comet, Run Cupid, duck Donder and Blitzen!
From the top of the porch, to the top of the wall,
Dash Away, Dash Away, before those fools kill us all!

Then in an instant we heard on the roof,
the prancing and pawing of each giant hoof.
As Hershel pulled in his head and was turning around,
down the chimney came an angry St. Nick with a bound.

He was angry and red from his head to his feet,
and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He spoke not a word but went straight to his work,
He filled all the stocking and said with a smirk

"Pop got shells to kill some old ducks,
Rex and Burney got giant big bucks

Bobby got a shovel to bury his money in a big hole,
Paul and Trent got nothing but coal. "

Then laying his finger aside of his nose,
and giving the finger, up the chimney he rose!

But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight.
"Merry Christmas to all,
Trent and Paul this just ain’t your night! "