Last night we were kept awake.
Couldn't sleep for Old Jack Frost;
Wandering ‘round like some old ghost.
Gave the door an awful shake;
Knocked against my bed's brass post.
Last night we were kept awake.

Couldn't sleep he made such noise;
Rapped and tapped and prowled around.
Once he made a snapping sound
Just like that of breaking toys. —
You'd have been scared, too, I’ll be bound.
Couldn't sleep he made such noise.

All was dark and very still,
When, right at the window, "bing,"
Came a rap that made me sing,
"Mother, I'm afraid!" until
Mother fussed like everything.
All was dark and very still.

"Old Jack Frost is raising Ned.
And to-morrow, wish to state,
We'll get even, sure as fate;
Cure him of his tricks," she said;
"Start a fire in the grate.
Old Jack Frost is raising Ned."

Then I heard my father's voice:
"You just let Jack Frost alone.
He's good friends, you should have known,
With Old Santa. Little boys
Are not scared of him, my son."
Then I heard my father's voice.

So I went to sleep again:
Let him bang the furniture
All he cared to. I was sure
I'd get even; that was plain:
Old Man Fire would be his cure,
So I went to sleep again.

Once he rattled at my mug
Where was water: then he crept
‘Round the room and softly stept
Here and there upon the rug;
Felt his breath, but I just slept.
Once he rattled at my mug.

Well, you should have seen the things
That he painted on the panes
When ‘twas morning: towns and trains;
Flowers and fairies; ropes and rings;
Stars and ribboned weather-vanes.
Well, you should have seen the things!

I just shouted when I saw.
Called to father: "Just look here!
Old Jack Frost is such a dear!
Wish he'd show me how to draw.
I'd be good for one whole year."
I just shouted when I saw.


From The Giant and the Star: Little Annals in Rhyme (Small, Maynard & Company, 1909).
This poem is in the public domain.