"HALT! Who goes there?â? The sentry-s call
Rose on the midnight air
Above the noises of the camp,
The roll of wheels, the horses- tramp.
The challenge echoed over all-
-Halt! Who goes there?â?
A quaint old figure clothed in white,
He bore a staff of pine,
An ivy-wreath was on his head.
-Advance, oh friend,â? the sentry said,
-Advance, for this is Christmas night,
And give the countersign.â?
-No sign nor countersign have I,
Through many lands I roam
The whole world over far and wide,
To exiles all at Christmastide,
From those who love them tenderly
I bring a thought of home.
-From English brook and Scottish burn,
From cold Canadian snows,
From those far lands ye hold most dear
I bring you all a greeting here,
A frond of a New Zealand fern,
A bloom of English rose.
-From faithful wife and loving lass
I bring a wish divine,
For Christmas blessings on your head.â?
-I wish you well,â? the sentry said,
-But here, alas! you may not pass
Without the countersign.â?
He vanished-and the sentry-s tramp
Re-echoed down the line.
It was not till the morning light
The soldiers knew that in the night
Old Santa Claus had come to camp
Without the countersign.