THE NIGHT I FORGOT AND LIT THE FIRE

Verse 1
Snow on the cedar boughs, quiet as a hymn,
I kindled the hearth as the dusk settled in.
Didn’t think of the date, didn’t pause to believe
What it means when the world turns to Christmas Eve.
Then a rumble above me, a groan and a wheeze,
And a voice from the chimney shouting, “Put that fire out, please!”

Chorus
So leave the hearth cold on Christmas Eve night,
Let the chimney stand open for travelers in flight.
For the world has its wonders, and trouble’s not rare—
And you never know who might be stuck up there.

Verse 2
I scattered the embers, I choked on the smoke,
Heard a jolly old cough turn to something less joke.
So I rang up the station, said, “You’d better come quick—
There’s a man in my chimney and he’s wedged in thick.”
The fire crew arrived with their boots in the snow,
Saying, “We’ve rescued raccoons, but this… we don’t know.”

Chorus
So leave the hearth cold on Christmas Eve night,
Let the chimney stand open for travelers in flight.
For the world has its wonders, and trouble’s not rare—
And you never know who might be stuck up there.

Verse 3
They braced on the mantle, they tugged on his boots,
Till a soot-covered Santa came sliding down, hoots!
His beard was singed sideways, his coat smelled of pine,
And he muttered, “Next year, friend, please read the sign.”
Then a clatter above us — a panicked stampede —
Eight reindeer confused and in desperate need.

Verse 4
So I rounded them up, one by one in the cold,
And parked them all snug in the garage like I’m told.
The ambulance crew wrapped his hands with care,
Cooled the scorch in his beard, smoothed the curl in his hair.
But Santa just chuckled, “It’s a minor concern—
I’ve had worse from dragons and frostbite burns.”

Chorus
So leave the hearth cold on Christmas Eve night,
Let the chimney stand open for travelers in flight.
For the world has its wonders, and trouble’s not rare—
And you never know who might be stuck up there.

Verse 5
We brushed off his coat till it shimmered like dawn,
Hitched up the reindeer and watched them lift on.
He called from the snowfall, “I’ll still make my way—
No chimney mishap ever ruined my day.”
And the children that morning, with wonder to weave,
Never knew Santa limped from my house Christmas Eve.

Final Chorus
So leave the hearth cold on Christmas Eve night,
Let the chimney stand open for travelers in flight.
For the magic is fragile, and flames are unfair—
And you never know who might be stuck up there.