‘Twas the night before Chanukah,
Oy! What a shock!
Somebody outside
Was picking our lock!
And there at the door
Stood a zayde in blue,
And he wore on his kopp
A blue yarmulke, too!
His punim was shain —
Everybody would love it!
‘Round his neck hung a chain
With a gold Mogen Dovid!
He said: “I’m no burglar,
So please don’t be nervous.
I’m the spirit of Chanukah,
Here at our service!
“I visit all yidlach,
And bring — kinnahorra —
Good fortune as bright
As a glowing menorah!
“If you know nice menchen,
I’ll visit them quick,
And I’ll bring them gezunt
And a houseful of glick!”
So we sent him to your house,
And shook hands and parted.
He shouted, “Shalom!”
Out the doorway he darted!
He ran to a wagon
With horses ahead.
He fed them some bagels,
And here’s what he said:
“Let’s go, Moish and Mendel!
Make quick, Moe and Yussle!
Please give a rush, Malkah!
Hey, Hymie, please hustle!”
Then they raced like the wind!
And they galloped so shnell,
All his clothing blew off,
And his gatkes as well!
So, don’t act embarrassed,
And please don’t be rude
When that frostbitten zayde
Arrives in the nude!
Quick! Feed him some chichen soup
Heiss as can be!
And give him some shnapps
And a glez’l hot tea!
‘Cause he brings you a houseful
Of chanukah wishes
As warm and geshmock
As plate of hot knishes!
And all through the future
Your hopes will come true,
And Himmel will bless
Your mishpocha and you.