Pap he allus ust to say, "Chris'mus comes but onc't a year!"
Liked to hear him that-a-way, In his old split-bottomed cheer By the fireplace here at night -- Wood all in, -- and room all bright, Warm and snug, and folks all here: "Chris'mus comes but onc't a year!"
Me and 'Lize, and Warr'n and Jess And Eldory home fer two Weeks' vacation; and, I guess, Old folks tickled through and through, Same as _we_ was, -- "Home onc't more Fer another Chris'mus -- shore!"
Pap 'u'd say, and tilt his cheer, -- "Chris'mus comes but onc't a year!"
Mostly Pap was ap' to be Ser'ous in his "daily walk,"
As he called it; giner'ly Was no hand to joke er talk.
Fac's is, Pap had never be'n Rugged-like at all -- and then Three years in the army had Hepped to break him purty bad.
Never _flinched_! but frost and snow Hurt his wownd in winter. But You bet _Mother_ knowed it, though! -- Watched his feet, and made him putt On his flannen; and his knee, Where it never healed up, he Claimed was "well now -- mighty near -- Chris'mus comes but onc't a year!"
"Chris'mus comes but onc't a year!"
Pap 'u'd say, and snap his eyes.
Row o' apples sputter'n' here Round the hearth, and me and 'Lize Crackin' hicker'-nuts; and Warr'n And Eldory parchin' corn; And whole raft o' young folks here.
"Chris'mus comes but onc't a year!"
Mother tuk most comfort in Jest a-heppin' Pap: She'd fill His pipe fer him, er his tin O' hard cider; er set still And read fer him out the pile O' newspapers putt on file Whilse he was with Sherman -- (She Knowed the whole war-history! )
Sometimes he'd git het up some. -- "Boys," he'd say, "and you girls, too, Chris'mus is about to come; So, as you've a right to do, _Celebrate_ it! Lots has died, Same as Him they crucified, That you might be happy here.
Chris'mus comes but onc't a year!"
Missed his voice last Chris'mus -- missed Them old cheery words, you know.
Mother belt up tel she kissed All of us -- then had to go And break down! And I laughs: "Here! 'Chris'mus comes but onc't a year!"
"Them's his very words," sobbed she, "When he asked to marry me."
"Chris'mus comes but onc't a year!"
"Chris'mus comes but onc't a year!"
Over, over, still I hear, "Chris'mus comes but onc't a year!"
Yit, like him, I'm goin' to smile And keep cheerful all the while: _Allus_ Chris'mus _There_ -- And here "Chris'mus comes but onc't a year! "
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