When I was a youngster in the 1950s, my dad who was in Texas on business sent me, my sister and brother a book. The verse still brings back warm feelings. So this is for all board members from Texas or have a Texas connection:

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (TEXAS STYLE)
(Author Unknown)

'Twas the night before Christmas
In Texas, you know,
Way out on the Prairie,
Without any snow.

Asleep in their cabin
Were Buddy and Sue
A dreamin' of Christmas
Like me and like you.

Not stockings, but boots
At the foot of their bed,
For this was in Texas,
What more can be said.

When all of a sudden
From out the still night,
There came such a ruckus
It gave me a fright.

And I saw 'cross the Prairie
Like a shot from a gun,
A loaded up buckboard
Come out at a run.

The driver was geein'
And hawin' with will,
And horses, not reindeer,
He drove with such skill.

C'mon Buck and Poncho,
And Prince to the right,
There'll be plenty o' travelin'
For ya'll tonight.

The driver in Levi's
And a shirt that was red,
Had a 10-gallon Stetson
On top of his head.

As he stepped from his buckboard
He was really a sight,
A beard and a moustache
So curly and white.

As he burst in the cabin,
The children awoke,
And were both so astonished,
That neither one spoke.

He filled up their boots
With such presents galore
That neither could think
Of a single thing more.

When Buddy recovered
The use of his jaws
He asked in a whisper,
"Are you Santa Claus?"

"Am I the real Santa?
Well, what do you think?"
And he smiled as he gave
A mysterious wink.

Then he lept in the buckboard
And said in his drawl,
"To the children of Texas,
Merry Christmas, ya'll"

Thanks for sharing. My son was born in Texas. I will show him this.

The author is James Rice. He has a whole slew of them...Cajun, Hillbilly, to name a couple of others. They are wonderful. I had all of them when I taught school. The kids really liked playing around with the poem and doing their own versions. It was a great writing project. We would illustrate them and give them to their parents for Christmas. :-D

I just sent this to one of my BFFs who lives in Texas and loves Texan versions of all things.
She even has a Texas passport.
Thanks!

I was born and raised here in Texas,a there's no place like it. Love and best wishes for a safe and happy holliday season. Nana Katie

Thank you for sharing with us :D:D:D