Last night the carol-singers came
When I had gone to bed,
Upon the crisp white path outside
I heard them softly tread.

I sat upright to listen, for
I knew they came to tell,
Of all the things that happened on
The very first Noel.

Upon my ceiling flickering
I saw their lantern glow,
And then they sang their carols sweet
Of Christmas long ago.

And when at last they went away,
Their carol-singing done,
There was a little boy who wished
They'd only just begun.