The Nite Before Xmas

I remember collard greens, cornbread dressing, and the sound of Motown Christmas and blues playing as grandma cleaned the hog maws and chitterlings

She made her famous “grown-folks” eggnog and that’s what she was sippin’

I would dance around the kitchen until the record “Please Come Home for Christmas” by Charles Brown came on

Then we would both stop what we were doing and with our spoons sing together our favorite Christmas Song

“Bells will be ringing the glad news, Oh what a Christmas to have the blues…”  “Gone baby wit yo bad self” she teasingly said knowing I was a bit off-key

Yes, the Nite before Xmas was so exciting for me

Jell-O Mold, pound cake, sweet potato, pumpkin, and pecan pies

It wasn’t long before the Christmas candy became minimal in my eyes

The aroma of soul food cooking filled the air as I stirred the mac and cheese

And when I opened the oven there was a green bean casserole that would knock you to your knees

Tubbed socks we wrapped for everyone as we placed them under the tree

Yes, the Nite before Xmas was so exciting for me

We would set the table with fine china, crystal, and silverware for our family and friends

This was the time of year we would all come together again

I was so anxious and excited for the very next day

Because after church all I had to do was eat, sleep, and play

Our finest attire she laid out, down to a ‘T’

Yes, the Nite before Xmas was so exciting for me

But Midnight was approaching and it was time to get ready for bed

I placed the milk and cookies out for Santa Claus as grandma leaned over and said,

“Don’t cha come peekin’ round this here corner, unless you want Santa to put some Black Peppa in yo eyes

Good little children stay in their beds and wait patiently for their surprise.”

So, I tossed and I turned as I heard the sound of sleigh bells ringing

A thump and a stump, I swore I heard Santa Claus singing

“On Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen!”

I peeked over my covers, I know I promised that I would keep my eyes closed

But I saw a red light shining through my window.  Could it have been Rudolph’s red nose?

I could hardly wait ‘til it was morning to see what else Santa left under the tree

Yes, the Nite before Xmas was so exciting for me

“Please Come Home for Christmas” Copyright © 1960 sung by Charles Brown