Forerunners

'T is n't long till Christmas now.     First thing that you'll know, it's here.     Nurse can tell it, don't know how,     By the smell o' th' atmosphere,     Shivery and never clear.     'T is n't long till Christmas now.     'T is n't long till Christmas now.     Boy next door, he says he knows     By the ice at morning; wow!     And the way the old wind blows,     And the way it snows and snows.     'T is n't long till Christmas now.     'T is n't long till Christmas now.     Cook, she knows it by her aches,     So she says, or, anyhow,     By the many cakes she bakes,     Fruit-cakes, nut- and pepper-cakes.     'T is n't long till Christmas now.     'Tis n't long till Christmas now.     And I know it, yes, I do,     By the rooms they won't allow     Me to go in; closets, too,     They keep locked I don't know who.     'Tis n't long till Christmas now.     'T is n't long till Christmas now.     Father says he knows it by     Money and his purse; and how     Much it takes for things, oh my!     Little boys come mighty high.     'Tis n't long till Christmas now.     'T is n't long till Christmas now.     Mother knows it, she declares,     By the sounds at night; the row     In the parlor, on the stairs     Santa carrying in his wares.     'T is n't long till Christmas now.