Delighted to share a post from the archive of Judy E. Martin which is perfect for Christmas Eve…as is her chosen track.. by Boney M… Mary’s Boy Child..
Stephanie from ‘Once Upon your Prime ‘ did a fantastic spoof on ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas’ which you can read HERE. I was so impressed with her version, and I wanted to have a go at this myself.
Every year I have to read it every night in December to my daughter. we take it in turns to read a verse out each, and we both love it. I have not gone with a theme as Stephanie has, just given it a bit of jiggery-pokery here and there to give my take on it!! Hope you enjoy…
Twas the night before Christmas, with presents to wrap by Judy Martin
‘Twas the night before Christmas, with presents to wrap
The turkey still thawing, no time for a nap!
The stocking was dragged out from last year
We’re hoping and praying St Nick will appear!
Miss Hap was all nestled snugly in bed
With iPhones and Converses going around in her head
Mr Grump, me and Roxy at last went to bed
To get ourselves rested for the big day ahead!
When out on the square there arose such a row
I awoke to see what was happening now!
I looked out the window and saw a large crowd
“Bugger off home!”. I shouted out loud.
The moon was hidden by a cloudy grey sky
But I thought I saw something out the corner of me eye.
Eight lively reindeer so happy and bright
Were guiding a sleigh through the darkness of night.
With a little old driver so chubby and cute
Who appeared to be wearing a red and white suit!
His reindeer were racing enjoying the game
He wanted attention so called them by name.
Now Dasher, now Dancer now Prancer and Vixen
On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen
Head for the roof! Head for the trees!
Now hurry up, hurry up, hurry up please!
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
Are swirling around in the wintery sky
This little old man with his sleigh full of toys
Was ready to reward the good girls and boys.
And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof
The clanking and banging of their bloody great hooves!
The next thing I knew, I heard a loud ‘BOOM’
And St Nicholas had landed in my front room!
He was dressed all in fur from his head to his toes
And I couldn’t help smiling at his odd-looking clothes
He had a large sack that was filled to the top
He looked like a man who had just robbed a shop!
His eyes how they twinkled in spite of his years
His nose was all rosy – and so were his ears!
His mouth was formed into a huge cheesy grin
He appeared as if he’d been hitting the gin!
The butt off a cig was clenched in his lips
And his belt was a little sung round his hips.
The size of his tummy was really quite shocking
And it swayed side to side as if it were rocking!
He was jolly and plump a right happy old thing
And I was excited to see what gift he would bring
He looked at his sack and gave me a smile
And added a parcel to Miss Hap’s huge pile!
He spoke not a word but kept filling her stocking
Then gave me a look that was kind of mocking
And then in an instant he was no longer there
He appeared to have vanished into the night air.
He sprang to his sleigh as night became dawn
And then he was off. It was now Christmas Morn
But I heard him call out as he opened a beer
“Merry Christmas to all, and a Happy New Year!”
If you would like to hear Judy perform the poem..
Judy has chosen Boney M as her Christmas music… and a huge thank you for her contribution.
©Judy E. Martin 2014
About Judy E. Martin
Hello, and thanks for stopping by. I am Judy,in my (very) early fifties and decided that life definitely gets more interesting as it goes on! I am a wife and a mum and have just gone back to University to train as a Registered Nurse, after having worked as an Associate Practitioner in the NHS. I am also a poet and the author of my debut book, ‘Rhymes of the Times.’ I love to laugh, and I love rhyming words too, so I joined the two together and my book was born. I am currently working on another book in the series too. I am a prolific blogger and enjoy writing funny stories, anecdotes, and anything really that takes my fancy.
Rhymes of the Times by Judy E. Martin.
Are you one of those people that barge through life, trying to get through it as best as you can, swimming against the everyday worries and stresses of life? Well, I have found a way to make it much more enjoyable.
Don’t you think everything sounds better when it rhymes? I certainly do. In fact, I have found that everything from doing the housework to growing older, can sound more positive and less daunting when made into a little ditty.
This book is about finding the humour, or raising a smile from the everyday things that we can all relate to in life, and looking at them from a different perspective. Nothing escapes versification; there is even a subject on sex! After all, that is one subject where there is plenty of room for laughter, even if it may not be the right moment!
One of the recent reviews for the collection
I love Judy E Martin’s poetry. It is so enjoyable and humorous. Judy has a delightful way of turning everyday situations into a real laugh. Her book of poetry is divided into ten chapters, as follows: Family, Festive, Seasons, Women, Ages, Music, Food, Creativity, Miscellaneous and Sex. This book fairly pulses with vitality and enthusiasm for life and I really look forward to reading a few of her uplifting verses at the end of a hard working day.
One of my absolute favourite poems is Ode to Cadbury’s and my favourite verse is as follows:
“They have moved across the water
To give their sales a Boost
But the chocolate’s taste is different
And the bar size is reduced.”
What absolute fun!
Read the reviews and buy the book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Judy-E-Martin/e/B01CPOB0M0
And Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Rhymes-Times-lighthearted-through-Rhythm-ebook/dp/B01CLXLPMU
Read reviews and follow Judy on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15085538.Judy_E_Martin
Connect to Judy
Website/blog: https://www.judyedwinamartin.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JudyEMartin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudyEMartinAuthorandRhymester
A very Happy Christmas from both of us..
Wonderful wonderful wonderful! This is a hugely fun poem with laugh out loud lines! Judith has a real comic knack with words! And I loved hearing her read this.. She did a great job with such a sense of comic timing and lovely voice that brought the whole thing to life. A Christmas star is born! (But I warn you if I see 3 wise men coming up the path I’m off!) And just to be a right Grinch… Shame I can’t say the same about Boney-M… a couple of their songs and I think Scrooge had a point. Brilliant poem… Fantastic job!
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I am glad that we had the video as well as the text.. Judy certainly made it come alive.. Happy Christmas..xxxx
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Merry Christmas Sally! XXX
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Thanks so much for your lovely comments, Paul. I am glad you enjoyed the poem, even if you don’t have the same wonderful taste in music!!
Merry Christmas x
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Wonderful taste in Music…Bah Humbug! See I told you!!!! Marry Christmas Judy. PX
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Thank you, Paul. x
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I love this! A terrific updated version that still follows the original.
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I agree Jennie.. and Judy does have a way with words… ♥
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Thank you, Jennie, I am delighted you loved it.
Happy Christmas! 🙂
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You are welcome, Judy. Merry Christmas. 🎄
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Outstanding, Judy. You were right, Sally. This one is perfect.
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Thank you, John. Happy Christmas 🙂
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Merry Christmas to yo and yours, Judy
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Thanks, John 🙂
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🙂
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thank you John.. hugs xx
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XX
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A perfect Christmas Eve post! Merry Christmas, Sally!!
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I am happy you enjoyed it. Merry Christmas 🙂
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Such a clever and entertaining version, Judy. Loved hearing you reading aloud. Hope you have a very happy Christmas.
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Thank you so much, Mary. Merry Christmas 🙂
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Hi, Judy. Thoroughly enjoyed the reading of your poem and your music selection is fantastic. Wishing you A Very Merry Christmas! ❤
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Thank you, Bette, I love a bit of Boney M to get the party started! A very Happy Christmas to you 🙂 💖
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P.S. Just downloaded a copy of your book to my kindle! 🙂
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Thank you Bette, that is a wonderful Christmas present to me, and I hope will be for you, too. 🙂
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❤
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That is the best revised version of the poem I have ever heard. And I love Boney M! You have made my Christmas Eve!!
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Lovely comment Darlene. hugs xx
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Thank you so much, Darlene! Your lovely comment made my day too 🙂
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Wonderfully done and always amusing Judy. Merry Christmas to you and your family. ❤ 🙂
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Thanks Debby ♥
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Thanks, Debby. Happy Holidays to you and your family too 🙂
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Thank you Judy 🙂
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Wonderfully amusing poem Judy. Merry Christmas!
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Thank you Marje and Happy Christmas.. xxx
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Thanks, Marje, I am glad it made you smile. Hope you and your family had a lovely Christmas 🙂
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Thank you Judy, yes we did. Missing my daughter who is abroad in S Korea teaching English as a Foreign Language. But, we had a lovely time and hope you did too. xx
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Oh, it is hard when family members are away for Christmas, We had a lovely, fun day thanks, Marje.
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❤
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Three cheers for Judy. What a great poem. Happy New Year Sally and Judy.
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Thank you Robbie.. and Happy New Year to you and the family… looking forward to sharing this space with you in 2018. ♥
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Pingback: Sally has been kind enough to feature my Christmas poem on her wonderful blog. I hope you enjoy it and a very Merry Christmas to you all. - Judy E Martin