Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser (Vic. : 1842 - 1843; 1854 - 1876), Friday 1 January 1875, page 4


LET'S WELCOME FATHER CHRISTMAS! [BY caRLsES SWAIN.] A blithe old man is Chrinltma-As blithe as man can be. He's full of freak. whene'er he speaks, And ripe for jest and ,lee. lie asks a world to dine with him, And offers feasts untold, As though his snow were silver, And all his laurel gFld. Oh, fine Ot!I Father Christmas ! Oh, rare Old Father Christmas ! Let's welcome Father Christmas, Rich, poor, and young and old I Full iUftyttiouaand maids at least Before old Lhristmas dance, And lines of cooks where'er one looks Extend from here to France. His ck'rollh r- in uumbers come From a'i parts of the e:irth. And bells iin scores ring out of doors To hail his worship's birth I Oh, laughing Father Christmas! Oh, qaslling Father Christmas ! Let's welcome Father Christmas and all his homely mirth ! Young children leap upon his breast And smile upon his knee, While he sings rhymes of good old times, And laughs to see their glee. ..He's romps and games a score, whose names We scarce remember now And many a play, at least they say, Beneath the Christmas bough ! SOh, flue Old Father Christmas! Oh, rare Oil Father Christmas I Ledt's welcome Father Christmas, Rich, poor, and young and old I.