A Song for St. Nicholas
by Mary Mapes Dodge, from "The Festival of St. Nicholas," Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, 1865
 St. Nicholas Center Collection |
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
From Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates, by Mary Mapes Dodge, copyright © 1865, 1875, 1893, 1896 Mary Mapes Dodge. 1916 edition illustrated by George Wharton Edwards, Charles Scribner's Sons.