I’ve known some mean men in my time —
For instance, one who tried
To skin a flea because he heard
Some one would buy the hide.
Another gave his son a dime
To skip each evening meal,
And when the boy had gone to bed
The dime would slyly steal.
And once I knew a man who dined
Each day downtown in state,
And then at eve went home to kick
On what his family ate.
Another stopped the clock at night
To save wear on the wheels;
And one would walk upon tiptoes
To save wear on his heels.
The world is full of men so mean
That they would rather see
A lot of children shedding tears
Than see them laugh with glee.
But of all mean men, defend me from
The sordid, selfish one
Who would deprive the little folk
Of all their Christmas fun.
The very meanest of them all —
The meanest ever was —
Are those who are so mean they say
There is no Santa Claus.
Of course there is a Santa Claus!
We’ve seen him lots of times;
The jolly fellow comes each year
And down the chimney climbs.
We’ve seen his reindeer prance and run,
We’ve heard his sleighbells chime.
No Santa Claus? Just wait and see —
He’ll be here Christmas time!
