Twas the Night before Kickoff
Twas the night before Kickoff, when all through the house
Not a football fan was stirring, not even a mouse.
The team banners were hung by the front door with care,
In hopes that St Nick soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of stadium food danced in their heads.
And mamma in her Nike gown, and I in my Nike skull cap,
Had just settled our brains for a restless night’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I staggered from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I tripped in a flash,
Tore down the shutters and threw up on the sash.
The moon was on full and brightly the glow,
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, I saw an answer to my night time prayers,
A magnificent Team Bus, and eight Alabama players.
With a clap of his hands, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his players they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Hightower! now, Richardson! now, Upshaw and Barron!
On, Maze! On, Hanks! On, Smelley and McCarron!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now fire up! Fire up! Fire up you all!"
As opposition before the crimson tide fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, it’s do or die.
So up to the house-top the players they flew,
With the Bus full of goodies, and St Nick too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard quite complete.
The clicking and clacking of each football cleat.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down from the skylight St Nick came with a bound.
He was dressed all in crimson, from his head to his feet,
His clothes were all spotless and hound tooth hat was so neat.
A pallet of gameday goodies appeared on my floor,
He gazed at my room full of Bama memorabilia galore.
His eyes-how they sparkled! his dimples so deep!
His lips were shut and I heard not a peep.
He looked at my picture of The Bear on the wall,
and tipped his hat to the legend, the greatest of all.
The Alabama playbook he held so tight in his hand,
And my name I saw written across the band.
He had a broad smile as he sat it in place,
under the class dome in the middle of my bookcase!
He was lean and strong, but tough and fair,
And I couldn’t help thinking he reminded me of Bear!
With a wink of his eye and a nod of his head,
he quickly let me know there was work ahead.
He spoke not a word, but went straight about his duty,
And filled the refrigerator with beer and delicious food booty.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the skylight he rose!
He sprang to his Bus, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like a guided missile.
But I watched as he drove out of sight and I heard him extol,
"Happy Football Season to all, and to all a ROLL TIDE ROLL!"
Twas the night before Kickoff, when all through the house
Not a football fan was stirring, not even a mouse.
The team banners were hung by the front door with care,
In hopes that St Nick soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of stadium food danced in their heads.
And mamma in her Nike gown, and I in my Nike skull cap,
Had just settled our brains for a restless night’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I staggered from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I tripped in a flash,
Tore down the shutters and threw up on the sash.
The moon was on full and brightly the glow,
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, I saw an answer to my night time prayers,
A magnificent Team Bus, and eight Alabama players.
With a clap of his hands, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his players they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Hightower! now, Richardson! now, Upshaw and Barron!
On, Maze! On, Hanks! On, Smelley and McCarron!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now fire up! Fire up! Fire up you all!"
As opposition before the crimson tide fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, it’s do or die.
So up to the house-top the players they flew,
With the Bus full of goodies, and St Nick too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard quite complete.
The clicking and clacking of each football cleat.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down from the skylight St Nick came with a bound.
He was dressed all in crimson, from his head to his feet,
His clothes were all spotless and hound tooth hat was so neat.
A pallet of gameday goodies appeared on my floor,
He gazed at my room full of Bama memorabilia galore.
His eyes-how they sparkled! his dimples so deep!
His lips were shut and I heard not a peep.
He looked at my picture of The Bear on the wall,
and tipped his hat to the legend, the greatest of all.
The Alabama playbook he held so tight in his hand,
And my name I saw written across the band.
He had a broad smile as he sat it in place,
under the class dome in the middle of my bookcase!
He was lean and strong, but tough and fair,
And I couldn’t help thinking he reminded me of Bear!
With a wink of his eye and a nod of his head,
he quickly let me know there was work ahead.
He spoke not a word, but went straight about his duty,
And filled the refrigerator with beer and delicious food booty.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the skylight he rose!
He sprang to his Bus, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like a guided missile.
But I watched as he drove out of sight and I heard him extol,
"Happy Football Season to all, and to all a ROLL TIDE ROLL!"
