If you are of Spanish descent (I am), and/or live somewhere like Miami (I do), and/or have a sense of humor, you will get a kick out of this cute Spanglish twist on an old favorite tradition. I have no idea where it came from or who wrote it – but it is definitely decades old. Another gem I found among my mother’s papers. It makes me laugh and I hope it will you too. Let’s see how many get the joke.
It was the night before Christmas
And all thru the casa
Not a creature is stirring
Caramba! Qué pasa!
The Stockings are hanging
Con mucho cuidado
In hopes that St. Nicholas
Will feel obligado
To leave a few cosas
Aquí and allí
For Chico and Chica
(Y something para me).
Los niños are snuggled
All safe in their camas
(Some in vestidos, and
some in pajamas)
Their little cabezas
Are full of good things
Qué esperan: qué cosas
St. Nick will bring?
Santa is down
At the corner saloon
Muy borracho
Since mid-afternoon.
Mama is sitting beside the ventana
When Santa en manera extraña
Lit up like fuego;
Qué goma* mañana!
El va to bed
As morning approaches
Feliz Pascuas to all
And to all Buenos Noches.
Notes for those who need help: borracho is drunk; *goma means hangover (in this colloquial use from Central America) and Pascuas is Easter!