A Song for St. Nicholas

by Mary Mapes Dodge, from "The Festival of St. Nicholas," Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates, 1865

Welcome, friend! St. Nicholas, welcome!
Bring no rod for us to-night!
While our voices bid thee welcome,
Every heart with joy is light.

"Tell us every fault and failing;
We will bear thy keenest railing
So we sing, so we sing:
Thou shalt tell us everything!

"Welcome, friend! St. Nicholas, welcome!
Welcome to this merry band!
Happy children greet thee, welcome!
Thou art gladdening all the land.

"Fill each empty hand and basket;
'Tis thy little ones who ask it.
So we sing, so we sing:
Thou wilt bring us everything!"

The Festival of St. Nicholas by Mary Mapes Dodge, from Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates

Rotating images: Ardita Hoti, Musée d'art et d'histoire, Fribourg, Switzerland. Used by permission.