Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SANTA CLAUS, by ANDREW BARTON PATERSON Poet's Biography First Line: Halt! Who goes there? The sentry's call Last Line: Without the countersign. Alternate Author Name(s): Paterson, 'banjo' Subject(s): Christmas; Santa Claus; Soldiers; Nativity, The; Nicholas, Saint | ||||||||
Halt! Who goes there?' The sentry's call Rose on the midnight air Above the noises of the camp, The roll of wheels, the horses' tramp. The challenge echoed over all -- 'Halt! Who goes there?' A quaint old figure clothed in white, He bore a staff of pine, An ivy-wreath was on his head. 'Advance, O friend,' the sentry said, 'Advance, for this is Christmas Night, And give the countersign.' 'No sign nor countersign have I. Through many lands I roam The whole world over far and wide. To exiles all at Christmastide From those who love them tenderly I bring a thought of home. 'From English brook and Scottish burn. From cold Canadian snows, From those far lands ye hold most dear I bring you all a greeting here, A frond of a New Zealand fern, A bloom of English rose. 'From faithful wife and loving lass I bring a wish divine, For Christrnas blessings on your head. 'I wish you well,' the sentry said, 'But here, alas! you may not pass Without the countersign.' He vanished -- and the sentry's tramp Re-echoed down the line. It was not till the morning light The soldiers knew that in the night Old Santa Claus had come to camp Without the countersign. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SAINT NICHOLAS by MARIANNE MOORE PANCAKES WITH SANTA by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE WITH BEST WISHES by DOROTHY PARKER A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS by CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE CHRISTMAS EVE by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT by WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS CHRISTMAS MORNING by BURGES JOHNSON A BALLAD OF DUCKS by ANDREW BARTON PATERSON |
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