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Thomas Hood - The Pauper`s Christmas Carol
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Full of drink and full of meat, 
On our SAVIOUR`S natal day, 
CHARITY`S perennial treat; 
Thus I heard a Pauper say:—
"Ought not I to dance and sing 
Thus supplied with famous cheer? 
Heigho! 
I hardly know—
Christmas comes but once a year. 

"After labor`s long turmoil, 
Sorry fare and frequent fast, 
Two-and-fifty weeks of toil,
Pudding-time is come at last! 
But are raisins high or low, 
Flour and suet cheap or dear? 
Heigho! 
I hardly know—
Christmas comes but once a year. 

"Fed upon the coarsest fare 
Three hundred days and sixty-four, 
But for one on viands rare,
Just as if I wasn`t poor! 
Ought not I to bless my stars, 
Warden, clerk, and overseer? 
Heigho!
I hardly know— 
Christmas comes but once a year. 

"Treated like a welcome guest, 
One of Nature`s social chain,
Seated, tended on, and press`d— 
But when shall I be press`d again, 
Twice to pudding, thrice to beef, 
A dozen times to ale and beer?
Heigho! 
I hardly know— 
Christmas comes but once a year. 


"Come to-morrow how it will;
Diet scant and usage rough, 
Hunger once has had its fill, 
Thirst for once has had enough, 
But shall I ever dine again? 
Or see another feast appear? 
Heigho! 
I only know— 
Christmas comes but once a year!
 
"Frozen cares begin to melt, 
Hopes revive and spirits flow— 
Feeling as I have not felt 
Since a dozen months ago— 
Glad enough to sing a song— 
To-morrow shall I volunteer? 
Heigho! 
I hardly know— 
Christmas comes but once a year.
 
"Bright and blessed is the time, 
Sorrows end and joys begin, 
While the bells with merry chime 
Ring the Day of Plenty in! 
But the happy tide to hail, 
With a sigh or with or a tear, 
Heigho! 
I hardly know— 
Christmas comes but once a year!"
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