The Pauper's Christmas Carol.

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!"