SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased)

 

SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) – STAVE 1 – MARLEY’S GHOST – Verses 1 to 4

 

A POEM by Paul Curtis, BASED ON THE STORY by

Charles Dickens “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

 

VERSE 1 – THE PREAMBLE

 

Marley was dead let there be no doubt about that

The register was duly signed and can be looked at

To argue with the evidence proves to be of no avail

Poor Old Jacob Marley was as dead as a doornail

So there was no doubt of Marley's demise as I said

Of course Ebeneezer Scrooge knew he was dead

They were in partnership for years very profitably

And at his death Scrooge was the sole beneficiary

Despite a long association Scrooge was not so sad

Though he wasn’t deeply upset nor was he glad

Doubtless Jacob Marley was dead, as we now know

This must be distinctly understood from the get go

Or nothing wonderful can ever come from this tale

An almost magical story that I wish now to detail

 

VERSE 2 – SCROOGE AND MARLEY

 

As Scrooge and Marley the Company was known

And above the warehouse door the sign was shown

Scrooge never painted old Jacob Marley's name out

And years afterwards it was clearly visible without

Scrooge was a tight fisted and covetous old sinner

Hard as flint, self-contained, and solitary as an oyster

He had cold frozen old features and a pointed nose

Mean from his shriveled cheeks to his stiffened toes

His thin curled lips emitted chilling grating tones

Enough to send an icy shiver right to your bones

Nobody asked him for directions or the time of day

And old blind men and beggars kept out of his way

No acquaintance ever inquired of him “How are you?”

And certainly no stranger ever asked “How do you do?”

 

VERSE 3 – IN THE COUNTING HOUSE

 

Once upon a time on a Christmas Eve Scrooge sat

Busy in his counting house with his open ledgers fat

It was cold, bleak, biting weather with freezing fog

And the streets were enveloped in a thick Grey smog

In the gloom people could be heard out in the street

Stamping hard on the pavements to warm their feet

The city of London clocks had only just gone three

But with the weather it was dark as night already

The door of Scrooge's counting house was left open

That he might keep his eye upon his clerk in his pen

Mr. Scrooge had a very small fire burning in his grate

But the clerk's fire was so small so as to be third rate

It looked like only one small solitary coal in the gloom

Ebeneezer Scrooge kept the coal-box in his own room

When the clerk came in with a shovel for more coal

He was threatened with his dismissal for his console

Thereupon the clerk put on his comforter and his hat

And tried to warm himself at a candle and that was that

 

VERSE 4 – A NEPHEW COMES A CALLING

 

“Merry Christmas, uncle” Cried a voice “God save you”

It was the hearty cheerful voice of Scrooge's nephew

Who had quickly entered through his uncle’s open door

“Bah!” said Scrooge “Humbug!” he said to his visitor

He had a ruddy and handsome face and sparkling eyes

And his uncle’s response came, as little or no surprise

“Christmas a humbug, uncle!” said Scrooge's nephew

“You don't mean that, I am sure.” Scrooge said, “I do,”

“Merry Christmas! What reason, have you to be merry?

You're poor enough.” Scrooge continued harshly

“Come then, what right have you to live so dismally?

You're rich enough uncle” returned the nephew gaily

Scrooge having no better answer to show his disdain

Said “Bah!” and followed it up with “Humbug.” again

“Uncle! I did not come here today in order to upset you

Please don’t be cross, sir!” said the cheerful nephew

“What else can I be, when I live in such a world of fools?

Merry Christmas! Greetings festiveness and Yule’s

What is Christmas but a time for buying things?

With no money and the unhappiness that brings

And a time for finding yourself another year older

And finding you’re not an hour nor a penny richer

If I could only work my will,” said Scrooge indignantly

“Every idiot with a Merry Christmas' on his lips I see

Would be boiled with his own pudding for a start

And buried with a stake of holly through his heart”

“Uncle! Its Christmas” said the nephew pleadingly

“Nephew!” returned uncle Ebeneezer very sternly

“You are welcome to keep Christmas in your own way

Allow me to keep it in mine is all that I need to say”

“Keep it!” replied the nephew. “But you don't keep it.”

“Let me leave it alone, then,” said Scrooge in a fit

“Much good may it do you! Much good it has ever done!”

He almost spat out the words at his dear sister’s son

“There are many things from which” returned the nephew

“I may have derived good, by which I did not profit a sou

Christmas among the rest and I have always believed,

Of this time when it has come round, to be conceived

Apart from the veneration due its sacred name and origin

If anything belonging to it can be apart from that to begin

As a good time, kind, forgiving, charitable, and pleasant

A time, merry, joyful and festive and clearly heaven sent

The only time I know of, in the calendar of the year,

When men and women open their hearts without fear

Though it has never put a scrap of gold in my pocket,

It has done me good, and will do me good God bless it!”

The clerk involuntarily applauded at what was said

Then came to his senses and he poked the fire instead

“If I hear another sound from you,” said Scrooge in irritation

“You'll keep your Christmas by losing your situation”

“Well Nephew you're quite the powerful speaker”

Said Scrooge “I wonder you don't go into Parliament sir”

“Don't be angry, uncle. Come! Dine with us tomorrow.”

Scrooge vehemently declined filling the boy with sorrow

“But why? I don’t understand “Scrooge’s nephew queried

Uncle Scrooge asked him “Why did you get married?” 

“I married because I fell in love with her uncle Ebeneezer”

“Because you fell in love!” said Scrooge, “what an answer”

“Why can’t we be friends? I want nothing from you”

“Good afternoon,” said Scrooge “Good afternoon nephew,”

“I am heartily sorry to find you so resolute against me

We have never had a quarrel to the best of my memory”

So uncle Ebeneezer I wish A Merry Christmas, to you”

“Good afternoon,” said Scrooge “Good afternoon nephew,”

“And uncle I wish the very Happiest New Year to you!”

“Good afternoon!” said Scrooge “Good afternoon nephew,”

He left the room without an angry word or remark

Stopping at the door to offer greetings to the clerk

Though chilled to the bone and weakened physically

He was warmer than Scrooge in returning them cordially

“There's a fellow fool,” muttered Scrooge “indeed”

“My own clerk with a wife and six children to feed

With fifteen shillings a week to keep a roof over head

Talking about a merry Christmas, Bah Humbug I said”

 

SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) – STAVE 1 – MARLEY’S GHOST – Verses 5 to 7

 

A POEM by Paul Curtis, BASED ON THE STORY by

Charles Dickens “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

 

VERSE 5 – TWO GENTLEMEN COME A CALLING

 

No sooner had Scrooge's nephew gone out of view

Than entered a party of gentlemen numbering two

They were both pleasant looking portly gentlemen

Who now stood, hats off, in Scrooge's office environ

They had books and papers in their hands, and bowed

One produced a list of which he was obviously proud

“Scrooge and Marley's, I believe,” said one of the men

After scanning down a list of names with the point of a pen

“Is it Mr. Scrooge I’m addressing or Mr. Marley instead?”

“Mr. Marley’s been dead these seven years,” Scrooge said

“It was in fact that he died seven years ago this very night”

Scrooge said examining their credentials by candlelight

“We have no doubt,” said the larger gentlemen of the pair

“His liberality is well represented by his surviving partner”

At the very ominous word “liberality,” Scrooge frowned

And he handed their credentials back without a sound

“At this festive season of the year” said one gentleman,

“It’s desirable that we should make provision if we can

For the Poor and Destitute, who suffer greatly at this time

Many thousands are in want, which is really such a crime

They lack common necessaries and common comforts, sir.”

“Are there no prisons?” asked Scrooge sitting in his chair

“Plenty of prisons,” said the gentleman without hesitation

“And the Union workhouses? Are they still in operation?”

“They are, I wish they were not” replied one gentleman

“The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigor, then?”

Scrooge asked and was told “They’re both very busy, sir”

Scrooge smiled and seemed to relax back into his chair

“Oh well I'm very glad to hear it” Ebeneezer scrooge said

“I was afraid that something had occurred to stop them dead”

“I’m relieved to hear they continue in their useful course”

Undeterred the gentlemen continued with some remorse

“A few of us are raising a fund to buy the Poor some meat

And drink and means of warmth or a blanket and a sheet

We choose this time when want is keenly felt by the poor

And abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?”

Both men looked expectant Scrooge replied “Nothing!”

“You wish to be anonymous?” asked one man nodding

“I wish to be left alone,” said Scrooge “Since you ask me

What I wish, gentlemen, that is the answer I decree

I don't make merry myself at Christmas on the contrary

And I certainly can’t afford to make idle people merry 

I have mentioned the establishments I help to support

And those who are badly off must go there for comfort” 

The two gentlemen shook their heads at Scrooge’s reply

“Many cannot go there and many would rather die.”

Scrooge’s response was the most savage declaration

“They should do it and decrease the surplus population”

Scrooge returned “The poor are not my business,

It's enough for a man to know his own business

And not to interfere in other people's in anyway

Mine occupies me constantly gentlemen Good day!”

Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue

And with spirits depleted the gentlemen withdrew

 

VERSE 6 – IN THE COUNTING HOUSE AGAIN

 

Mr. Scrooge returned to his labors with renewed vigor

And an improved opinion of himself as a moral figure

He was left in peace for the remainder of the working day

Save for Carolers who he unceremoniously shooed away

The hour of shutting up the counting house arrived duly

And with an ill-will Scrooge dismounted his stool tacitly

The poor expectant clerk instantly snuffed his candle out

And adjusted his clothing in preparation of going without

“You'll want all day to-morrow?” said Scrooge sharply

“If it’s quite convenient, sir.” The clerk replied meekly

“It's not convenient and it’s unfair. If I was to stop your pay

Scrooge ranted “you'd think yourself ill-used, I'll dare say”

“And yet,” said Scrooge pointing at his cowering clerk

“You don't think me ill-used, when I pay wages for no work.”

The poor clerk observed that it was only once a year.

This retort merely enraged Scrooge even more I fear

“And that’s a poor excuse for picking a man's pocket

Every twenty-fifth of December!” he said in a blue fit

“But I suppose you must have the whole day” he said

“But you be here all the earlier next morning instead”

The clerk promised faithfully that he would without doubt

And growling disapproval Ebeneezer Scrooge walked out

 

VERSE 7 – CLERKING ABOUT

 

The office was closed in the merest twinkling of an eye

And the clerk in the spirit of the season bad the office goodbye

With the ends of his white comforter dangling below his waist

He made his way home to Camden Town with great haste

Stopping only to take turns with a group of boys on a slide

Only about twenty times at the end of the lane near Cheapside

 

 

SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) – STAVE 1 – MARLEY’S GHOST – Verse 8

 

A POEM by Paul Curtis, BASED ON THE STORY by

Charles Dickens “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

 

VERSE 8 – A VERY UNEXPECTED VISITOR

 

Ebeneezer Scrooge took his melancholy dinner alone

In his usual melancholy tavern “The Regents Throne”

And after all the daily newspapers had been duly read

Scrooge buttoned up his coat and went home to bed

He lived in the chambers, which were once the property

Of his deceased friend and partner Mr. Jacob Marley

They were a gloomy suite of rooms in a crumbling pile

Tucked away in a back alley Close to the square mile

It was old, dreary and but for Scrooge nobody lived in it

As all the other rooms all being used as offices to be let

The fog and frost hung about the doorway of the building

So That Scrooge could only find the keyhole by feeling

Now, it is a fact, that there was nothing at all particular

About the knocker on the door neither strange or peculiar

Except that it was large and in the form of a lion’s head

Though in all other respects it was quite usual as I said

It’s a fact, that Scrooge had seen it night and morning

From his first day there to the last and every one during

Bearing in mind that Scrooge had not thought in any way

Of Marley since mention of his dead partner earlier that day

So then how could it happen that Scrooge, key in the door

Saw in the knocker, Marley’s face who wasn’t alive anymore

Not an angry face but looked as he did before he was dead

With ghostly spectacles turned up on its ghostly forehead

Moments past As Scrooge looked hard at this phenomenon

And then it was a knocker again and Marley’s face was gone

To say that he was not startled or scared would be untrue

He unlocked the door and entered, what else was he to do

He did pause for a moment before he shut the door

And he did look cautiously behind it but did no more

There were only screws and nuts to hold the knocker

So he said “Pooh, pooh!” and slammed it like thunder

He fastened the door, and walked slowly across the hall

And up the stairs lit by his candle careful not to fall

The staircase was so wide and gloomy, as the light was dim

He notioned he saw a hearse and six white horses ahead of him

Scrooge dismissed it a trick of the light or lack of it

And continued slowly up the huge stair case to the summit

It would have been easy to have had the entrance lit

But the Darkness is cheap, and Mr. Scrooge liked it

Nonetheless before he shut and bolted his heavy door

He walked through his suite of rooms just to make sure

Nobody was under the bed or behind the door there

Nobody was under the table or indeed under the sofa

Quite satisfied, he closed his door, and locked himself in

Thus secured against surprise he began his undressing

Putting on his slippers, nightcap and his dressing-gown

He prepared to take supper by the fire where he sat down

On a bitter night it was a very low fire with little fuel

Scrooge sat very close to the fire while he took his gruel

The fireplace was paved with tiles adorned with pictures

They were many and varied and illustrated the Scriptures

Out of one of these pictures Marley’s head was seen to zoom

“Humbug!” said Scrooge and got up to pace the room

After several turns, he sat down again and his gaze fell

In the direction of a dusty corner and an old disused bell

It was with great astonishment, and with a strange dread

He saw this bell start swinging as he sat gazing ahead

It swung so softly in the outset that it scarcely made a sound

But soon every bell in the house rang loud and echoed around

This might have lasted a minute, but it seemed like an hour

Then the bells ceased just as they had begun, together

They were succeeded by a clanking noise, deep down below

Scrooge thought maybe chains dragging but he didn’t know

Then he heard the noise coming up the stairs much louder

Then coming straight towards his door louder and louder

“It’s humbug still!” shouted Scrooge. “I won't believe it.”

His color changed though and he was scared more than a bit

When, without a pause, it came on through the heavy door

Passing into the room before his eyes then moving no more

Scrooge thought its Marley in his usual waistcoat not dead

From his tights and boots even to the hair upon his head

The chain he drew was clasped and about his middle it went

It was long, and wound about him like tail of a serpent

It was made of cash-boxes, keys, and had padlocks on

And ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses wrought in iron

His body was transparent, so that Scrooge, observing him

And looking through him could see the wall though dim

Scrooge thought this is Marley but he is decidedly dead

From his tights and boots even to the hair upon his head

He looked at the phantom but no matter what his mind says

He was still incredulous, and fought against his senses

Said Scrooge caustically “What do you want with me?”

“Much!” said the unmistakable voice of Jacob Marley 

“Who are you?” Ebeneezer Scrooge asked hesitantly

“Why not ask me who I was.” Replied the entity

“Who were you then?” said Scrooge with irritation

“You're very particular indeed spirit, for an apparition

“In life I was your partner,” said the spirit “Jacob Marley”

 At this scrooge turned paler and his legs turned to jelly

“Can you -- can you sit down?” he asked his old partner

Doubtful of the ghost’s ability to actually use a chair

“I can,” said Marley surprised at the question

“Do it then.” Scrooge instructed with apprehension

“You don't believe in me,” observed the ghost Marley

“I do not,” said Scrooge spitting out the words defiantly

“What evidence would you want to have of my reality?

Beyond that of your senses?” asked the strange entity

“I don't know,” said Scrooge replying to the question

“Why do you doubt your own senses?” asked the apparition

“Because” said Scrooge “The slightest thing affects them

A slight disorder of the stomach makes cheats of them

You may be an undigested bit of beef quite possibly  

Or a blob of mustard, a crumb of cheese, or piccalilli

A fragment of an underdone potato should I continue?

There's certainly more of gravy than of grave about you”

Scrooge was very pleased indeed with his little jest

But he still worried about offending his uninvited guest

“You see this toothpick?” Ebeneezer Scrooge then said

“I do,” Jacob Marley answered without moving his head

“You are not looking at it” Scrooge pointed out

“But I see it” said the Ghost “without any doubt”

“Well I have but to swallow without hesitation

And I’ll be plagued goblins all of my own creation

It’s all a Humbug” said Scrooge “Humbug I tell you!”

At this the spirit raised up causing a terrible to do

Shaking his chains as well as wailing and screaming

Poor Scrooge could only hide behind his chair shaking

“Mercy!” Scrooge pleaded “Why do you trouble me?”

“Do you believe in me or not?” shouted Marley

“I do,” said Scrooge. “I must oh yes spirit I do”

“But why do spirits walk the earth tell me I beg you”

“It is required of every man that the spirit within

Should walk forth, far abroad among his fellowmen

But if the spirits do not go forth during their life time

They are condemned to do so after deaths chime”

Again the spirit raised up causing a terrible to do

Shaking his chains screaming as well as wailing too

“Wandering and witnessing what they cannot share

But might have shared on earth bringing happiness there”

“You are fettered,” said Scrooge, trembling. “Tell me why?”

“I wear the chain I forged in life,” was the ghosts reply

“I forged this chain link by link, and yard by yard

Made of my own free will and toiled on very hard”

“The chain that you wear yourself” he said in monotone

“Was as full and as heavy and as long as my own

Seven Christmas Eves ago you’ve labored on it since

Now it is a truly ponderous chain” he saw Scrooge wince

Scrooge glanced about him and could see nothing

“Jacob speak comfort to me Jacob!” he said imploring

“I have no comfort to give,” replied Jacob Marley

“That comes from other regions and ministers than me

My spirit never walked beyond our office so help me

Never roamed beyond our money changing hole you see”

“But Jacob you were always a good man of business”

“Business!” cried the Ghost “Mankind was my business

The common welfare was my business and forbearance

My business should have been charity mercy and benevolence

The poor should have counted in my business dealings”

Scrooge was horrified by his old partner’s rantings

“Hear me!” cried the Ghost. “My time is nearly gone”

“I will,” said Scrooge “Please let’s just have it done”

“How I appear before you in the form I cannot say

I have sat invisible beside you many and many a day”

Scrooge found the idea was not at all an agreeable one

And shivered at the very thought of being spied upon

“I am here to-night to warn you” Marley began to dictate

“That you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate”

Scrooge replied “You were always a good friend to me”

“You will be haunted,” resumed the Ghost, “By spirits Three”

On hearing this news made Scrooges temples throb

“Is that the chance and hope you mentioned, Jacob?”

Ebeneezer demanded, in a faltering voice “It is yes”

“I -- I think I'd rather not,” said Scrooge in distress

“Without their visits,” Jacob Marley's Ghost said

“You cannot hope to shun the dreadful path I tread

Ebeneezer expect the first of the visitors to come”

Marley continued “Tomorrow, when the bell tolls one” 

“Jacob Couldn't I take all three of them together”

Scrooge suggested nervously “And have it all over”

“Expect the second at the same hour on the next night

The third upon the next night on the stroke of midnight”

Jacob Marley wailed “Look to see me no more Ebeneezer”

“And look at what has passed between us and remember”

After these words, the spectre backed slowly away

With each step the window inched up a little way

When Marley reached the window it was wide open

And he beckoned Ebeneezer Scrooge to join him then

When they were within two paces of each other

Marley's Ghost held up its hand to stop him coming closer

Scrooge suddenly became aware of a mournful sound

Marley's went out the window hovering above the ground

Jacobs’s ghost was joined by a throng of other spectre's

They had chains and scrooge knew some of these others

Marley and the other spirits and the voices faded together

And they then just disappeared into the misty weather

Scrooge then closed the window in against the night

He was shivering with the cold as well as from fright

Then he examined the door by which the Ghost entered

The double-locks and bolts were all undisturbed

He was about to say “Humbug!” but in the end didn’t

Being drained from emotion it was in fact he couldn’t

Then overcome by the fatigues of a long strange day

He went to bed falling asleep almost straight away

SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) – STAVE 2 – THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS – Verses 1 to 2

 

A POEM by Paul Curtis, BASED ON THE STORY by

Charles Dickens “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

 

VERSE 1 - AWAKENING

 

It was so dark when scrooge awoke from his slumber

That he could scarcely see across his bedchamber

He was trying to pierce the dark with ferret eyes

And he peered out the window at the darkened skies

When he was startled by the church clock chimes

As it suddenly struck out the quarters all Four times

With the sound reverberating from the church tower

Scrooge listened for the great clock to strike the hour

To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on

From six to seven to eight, and regularly past eleven

In fact it struck all the way to twelve then silence

Twelve? It was two when he retired it made no sense

The clock must be wrong and most probably it was broken

Ice must have got into the works if he was not mistaken

Twelve? Scrooge touched the spring of his repeater

To correct this most preposterous public chronometer

The repeater’s rapid little pulse beat twelve and ceased

“Why, it isn't possible,” He said with forehead creased

“That I can have slept through a whole day, it isn’t right

And furthermore that I should sleep far into another night

It isn't possible anything has happened to the sun

And it’s twelve at noon.” This idea was an alarming one

He could see nor hear signs of life on the street below

After he had rubbed the frost off his bedroom window

If it were noon there would be people making their way

Unquestionably if night had beaten off bright day

Scrooge went to bed again, and thought, and thought

And thought it over and over and over as best he ought

The more he thought, the more perplexed he became

The more he tried not to think, he thought all the same

Jacob Marley's Ghost still bothered him exceedingly

When he thought of him a chill ran up his back icily

He resolved within himself that it was all a dream

And that things could not possibly be as they seem

His mind flew back, like a strong spring released

“Was it a dream or not?” his uneasiness hadn’t ceased

Scrooge lay restless and uneasy in his four poster bed

Then Ebeneezer suddenly recalled what Marley had said

He warned him of a visitation when the bell tolled one

He resolved to stay awake until the thing was done

“Ding, dong!” “A quarter past,” said Scrooge, counting.

“Ding dong!” “Half past!” said Scrooge almost shouting

“Ding dong!” “A quarter to it,” Scrooge said nervously

“Ding dong!” “The hour itself,” he said triumphantly

“And nothing else!” He spoke before the hour was done

Which it then did with a deep, hollow, melancholy one

Suddenly light filled the room bright as dawn

And his bed curtains were simultaneously drawn

 

VERSE 2 – AN UNEARTHLY VISITATION

 

Scrooge was startled into a half-recumbent position

Found himself face to face with an unearthly visitation

It was a strange figure almost like a child yet not so

And almost like a very old man but not one though

The odd figure was certainly of childlike proportion

Yet it was a muscular and athletic looking apparition

It had long flowing hair which was white as if with age

The beings general demeanor was that of an old sage

Yet the face had not a single wrinkle not even a trace

And the tenderest bloom was on the creatures face

The figure held a branch of fresh green holly in its hand

And its dress was trimmed with a summer flower band

But the oddest thing about it was the crown of light

It wore upon its head spouting a jet clear and bright

And by the crown on its head everything was visible

But it carried a cap to make the light extinguishable

“Are you the Spirit whose coming was foretold to me?”

Asked Scrooge “I Am.” The soft voice replied gently 

“What are you?” “I’m the Ghost of Christmas Past”

“Long Past?” inquired Scrooge curtly “No your past.”

Scrooge had a special desire to see the cap on the Spirit

Over the illuminating light and begged him to cover it

“Would you so soon put out the light I give right now?

Eternally for such as you, I wear it low upon my brow!”

Scrooge disclaimed all intention of offending the spirit

Or any knowledge of having made him wear a bonnet

Then boldly inquired what business brought him there.

The ghostly apparition calmly replied “Your welfare”

Regarding his welfare Scrooge thought what was best

Was without a doubt a long night of unbroken rest

He soon realized that his thoughts The Spirit could read

For it then said “Your reclamation, then so Take heed”

It put out its strong hand and clasped Scrooge gently

Taking his arm as he said “Rise and walk with me”

Ebeneezer Scrooge was reluctant to leave his warm bed

The grasp, gentle as a woman’s was not to be resisted

He was a little alarmed wearing only his nightclothes

When the spirit led him in the direction of the windows

He clasped his robe in supplication “I am just a mortal,”

“Please spirit” Scrooge remonstrated “I’m liable to fall”

The spirit said “Bear a touch of my hand on your heart,”

“And you shall be upheld in more than this lest we part.”

They passed through the wall as the words were spoken

And stood on a road with fields and all around was open

SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) – STAVE 2 – THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS – Verse 3

 

A POEM by Paul Curtis, BASED ON THE STORY by

Charles Dickens “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

 

VERSE 3 - SCHOOLDAYS

 

The city had entirely vanished Nothing was to be seen

The darkness and the mist had gone and all was clean

There was no bustle and there was barely a sound

It was a clear, winter day, with snow on the ground

“Heavens” said Scrooge, clasping his hands together

As he looked around “I was bred here I was a boy here”

The Spirit watched him mildly, as he was absorbing

The sights and sounds and smells that he was sensing

“Your lip is trembling,” it said Scrooge couldn’t speak

 The ghost continued “And what is that upon your cheek?”

Scrooge only muttered, an unusual catch in his voice

He begged the Ghost to lead him to a place of his choice

“You recollect the way?” inquired the amused Spirit 

Ebeneezer Scrooge cried with fervor “Remember it?”

“I could walk it blindfolded I know it so well spirit”

 Scrooge then again cried with fervor “Remember it!”

“Strange then to have forgotten it for so many years,” 

The Ghost said, “Let’s go on, you know the way it appears”

They walked along the road the snow white and crunchy

And Scrooge recognized every gate, and post, and tree

Then in the distance vale a little market town appeared

With its bridge, its church, and a river wound and veered

Some shaggy ponies now were seen trotting their way

With boys on their backs, and they were happy and gay

They called to other boys in country gigs and buggy

All the boys were in such great spirits shouting happily

“These are but shadows of the things that have been,”

Said the Ghost. “As real as they are we cannot be seen”

The jocund travelers came in view and then were gone

As they came Scrooge knew and named every one

Ebeneezer was filled with joy as he stood to listen

It made his old heart glad and his cold eye glisten

He wondered why he was filled with such gladness

When they wished each other a Merry Christmas

As they all parted at the cross-roads and-bye ways

Heading for their homes for the Christmas holidays

What was a merry Christmas to Scrooge anyway?

What good had it ever done for him? He might say

“The school is not quite deserted,” said the spirit.

“A solitary child, left by his friends, is left to sit”

Scrooge said he knew that and he sobbed quietly

And he and the spirit continued on the road slowly

They left the main road, by a well-remembered lane

And soon came to a mansion of red brick, dull and plain

It was quite a large house but it had seen better days

Crumbling brick and peeling paint on window bays

The walls all ran with damp and green in a mossy way

The windows were broken and everything was in decay

Fowls were clucking and strutting outside of the class

And coach-houses and sheds were over-run with grass

Throughout was a musty odor of the ancient and old

Inside of the dreary hall was poorly lit vast and cold

The Ghost and Scrooge walked silently across the hall

To a room with barely any noteworthy furnishings at all

Desks and forms filled a long bare and melancholy room

On one of the forms a lonely boy sat reading in the gloom

Scrooge sat down upon a form overcome by melancholy

And wept to see his poor forgotten self as he used to be

The Spirit touched his shoulder to comfort his distress

“How sad it is to be all alone and friendless at Christmas”

Scrooge bristled at the thought of pitying his boyhood

But then how could a mere shade ever have understood

“This youth had self-reliance and strength of character

And he was never alone while he had his books there” 

Scrooge said “And his friends were great and many

Ali Baba, Robinson Crusoe and Friday as good as any”

He sat down again once more overcome by melancholy

And wept to see his poor forgotten self as he used to be

“I wish,” he muttered, drying his eyes with his sleeve

“But it's too late now to change that Christmas Eve”

“Whatever is the matter?” asked the concerned Spirit

“Nothing,” said Scrooge. “Nothing I’m happy to admit

Some boys were Caroling at my door last nightfall

I should like to have given them something that was all”

The Ghost smiled thoughtfully, waved its hand thus

Saying as it did so, “Let us see another Christmas!”

At the words Scrooge's former self grew lankier

And the room became a little darker and dirtier

But the situation remained unchanged in other ways

Alone again, with the other boys gone for the holidays

Not reading now he was despairingly pacing the floor

While old Scrooge glanced anxiously towards the door

It opened; and a little girl, much younger than the boy

Came darting in filling both old and young with joy

She put her arms about his neck tight like a mother

Kissing him she addressed him as “Dear, dear brother.”

She said “I have come to bring you home dear brother!”

Clapping her hands and laughing “Home, Ebeneezer!”

“Home, little Fan?” young Ebeneezer said questioningly

“Yes! Home dear brother” said the child, brimful of glee

“Yes home, for good and all. Home, forever and ever

Father is so much kinder than he used to be Ebeneezer

That home is almost like Heaven!” Fan spoke so sweetly 

“As I went to bed one night Father spoke so gently to me

That I was not afraid to ask him and indeed felt no dread

To ask once more if you may come home, and yes he said

You should and he sent me in a coach to bring you there”

She clapped her hands and laughed “Home, Ebeneezer!”

“And you're to be a man!” she said proud as a mother

“And you are never to come back here dear brother

But first, we're to be together for the whole Christmas

No one in the world will have a merriest time than us”

“You are quite a woman, little Fan!” exclaimed the boy

She clapped her hands and laughed to show her joy

Then she began to drag him, in childish eagerness

Towards the door; and he could feel her happiness

And the happy pair passed quickly through the door

And Master Scrooge's trunk was then duly called for

With the trunk tied on the carriage it was time to go

And the carriage was away spraying frost and snow

“She was Always a delicate creature”, the spirit offered

“A delicate creature whom a breath might have withered,”

“But she had a large heart!” the ghost added a complement

“So she had, you're right” cried Scrooge in total agreement

“She died a woman,” said the Ghost, “And she had, children.”

“One child,” Ebeneezer Scrooge corrected the apparition

“Yes just one child” said the Ghost. “Your nephew! Fred”

Scrooge seemed uneasy in his mind “Yes” he said

SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) – STAVE 2 – THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS – Verse 4

 

A POEM by Paul Curtis, BASED ON THE STORY by

Charles Dickens “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

 

VERSE 4 - OLD FEZZIWIG’S

 

They had but that moment left the school’s vicinity

And were then in the busy thoroughfares of a city

Where shadowy figures passed this way and that way

And many varied carts and coaches battle in the Grey

It was plain enough to see by the mode of decoration

In the shop windows that it was Christmas time again

But it was the evening time and all the streets were lit

Stopping by a door Scrooge was asked if he knew it

“Know it!” said Scrooge. “Was I not apprenticed there?”

They went in and saw an old gentleman sat in a chair

At the sight of the old gentleman in the Welsh wig

Scrooge cried in great excitement giving a kind of jig

“Why, it's old Fezziwig! Bless his heart alive again!”

He adjusted his waistcoat as the clock struck seven

Fezziwig looked at the clock and laid down his pen

He laughed to himself and he closed his ledger then

Laughing in a manner benevolent and comfortable

Called out loudly in a voice oily, rich, fat and jovial

“Yo ho, there! Ebeneezer! Dick!” he said in a bellow

Young apprentice Scrooge appeared with his fellow

“Dick Wilkins” said Scrooge to the Ghost “Bless me”

There he is. He was much attached to me was Dicky”

“Yo ho, boys!” said Fezziwig. “No more work to-night.

It’s Christmas Eve, Dick. Christmas, Ebeneezer all right”

“So let’s have the shutters up,” old Fezziwig cried

“Before you can say Jack Robinson,” he said with pride

The two boys went about their task with great vigor

Pursued by the exuberant Fezziwig’s jovial figure

He skipped about offering the occasional “Hilli- ho”

Or even a “Chirrup” wherever the boys had to go

The room was completely cleared of every moveable

Floor swept, lamps trimmed and fire made as desirable

Then no sooner was the room snug and warm in there

In came a fiddler with music and climbed upon a chair

Then came Mrs. Fezziwig, smiling vast and substantial

In came the three Miss Fezziwig’s, beaming and lovable

And the daughters suitors and then friends of the family

The cook and housemaid and various other employees

Until eventually the large room was full to overflowing

And the music began in earnest, which led to dancing

There was cold roast and boiled meat and beer a plenty

And the Fezziwig’s danced as if they were only twenty

Shining in every part of the dance like stars in heaven

Then the ball broke up when the clock struck eleven

Either side of the door the Fezziwig took up stations

And shook hands with all offering seasons felicitations

When all the guests had departed from the premises

They wished the same to their two young apprentices

As the Fezziwig’s made off chatting like they’d never stop

The lads went to their beds, which were in the back-shop

During the whole time of the unfolding merriment

His heart and soul were with his former embodiment

He corroborated everything, remembered everything

Enjoyed it all, but his agitation was the strangest thing

It was only went the boys bright faces turned away

That he remembered the spirit who lighted the way

“A small matter,” it said “To fill them with gratitude.”

“Small matter!” echoed Scrooge in a bemused attitude

The Spirit signed to him to listen to the two apprentices

Who were pouring out their hearts to Fezziwig’s praises

Then the spirit added, “Why! Is it so praise worthy!

He has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money

“It isn't that spirit” said Scrooge, heated by the remark

Speaking unconsciously like his former self as a clerk

“It isn't that, He has the power to make us happy or not

To make our working life light or burdensome in out lot

A pleasure or a toil. His words and looks could entune 

The happiness he gives, is as great as if it cost a fortune”

He felt the Spirit's glance upon him and went silent

“What is the matter?” asked the Ghost in amusement

“Nothing in particular,” said Scrooge quite abruptly 

“Something, I think?” said the apparition insistently

“No,” said Scrooge, “No. I should like to be able to

Speak to my clerk now that's all Just a word or two”

As the younger Scrooge turned down the lamps light

The older and the Ghost stood side by side in the night

“My time grows short,” observed the Spirit. “Quick!”

Then were once again removed like in a magic trick

 

SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) – STAVE 2 – THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS – Verses 5 to 6

 

A POEM by Paul Curtis, BASED ON THE STORY by

Charles Dickens “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

 

VERSE 5 – SWEET YOUNG BELLE

 

Again Scrooge saw himself a young man but older

A man in the prime of life but His face was harsher

It did not wear the rigid lines that his own face did

But there were signs of avarice that could not be hid

He was not alone, but sat beside a girl young and fair

Tears filled her eyes and light sparkled on them there

“It matters little,” she said, softly. “Very little to you”

“Another idol has displaced me clearly in your view

And if it can cheer and comfort you in time to come

As I would have tried to do, then your idol is welcome

I have no just cause to grieve. For what you have done”

“What Idol?” he demanded she replied “A golden one.”

The younger Scrooge turned away from the girl smartly

“This is the great hypocrisy of life!” he said sharply

“There is nothing on which it is so hard as poverty

Yet condemns pursuit of wealth with such severity”

“You fear the world too much,” she answered, gently

“All your other hopes have merged together singly

I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one

Until now Gain possessed you as it has now done?”

“What then? Even if I have grown much wiser,” he said

“I am not changed towards you.” She shook her head

“Am I?” his question hung unanswered in the air

For a few moments she sat thoughtfully silent there

She said, “Our contract is an old one made long ago

Made when we were both poor and content to be so,

Until in good season we could” she continued softly 

“Improve our worldly fortune by our patient industry”

You are changed. For when our contract was made

You were another man entirely Ebeneezer I’m afraid

“I was a boy,” he said impatiently. “We were children”

“But you are different now to what you were then

Your own feelings tell you that this is indeed true

With all this understood Ebeneezer I can release you.”

“Have I ever sought release?” Angrily he turned on her

She returned in equal measure “In words? No. Never.”

“In what, then?” “In a changed nature and a spirit altered

In another different atmosphere of life” she answered

“In everything that made my love of value in your sight

And In everything that made your love of me feel right

Tell me Ebeneezer If this had never been between us,”

The girl said looking mildly at him but with steadiness

“Would you seek me out and try to win me now? Ah, no!”

He seemed to agree with her but he tried not to show

After a moment’s thought “You think not?” he countered

“I would gladly think otherwise if I could,” she answered

“Heaven knows. When I have learned a Truth like this

I know how strong and irresistible it must be to resist.

But if you were free to-day, to-morrow, yesterday,

Can I believe you would choose a dowerless girl, say?

You who weigh everything by gain would not rebuff

In choosing her, if for a moment you were false enough

To your one guiding principle to do so, do I not know

That your repentance and regret would surely follow?”

Then she said sadly “I do; and I release you Ebeneezer

With a full heart, for the love of him you once were.”

He was about to speak; but with her head turned away

She resumed. “You may have pain in this yes you may

But only for the briefest time, and then it will seem

Its memory will be dismissed as an unprofitable dream

From which it happened well that you had awoken.

So may you be happy in the life you have chosen.”

Then she left him, and he stood gazing at the floor

“Spirit!” said Scrooge; “I beg you show me no more!

Conduct me home, why do you delight to torture me?”

The ghost then exclaimed “One more shadow to see!”

“No more!” cried Scrooge! “I don't wish to see it!

Show me no more! I beg of you oh merciful spirit”

 

VERSE 6 – MATRONLY BELLE

 

Despite his appeals the spirit would have none

And they were once again removed and it was done

They were then in another scene and place, in a room

Not very large or handsome, but a comfort filled room 

Near to the winter fire sat the beautiful girl again

Though not so young the signs of beauty still remain

Scrooge recognized Belle the instance that he saw her

Though she was a comely matron sat with her daughter

There were other children all making the noise of forty

All was happy the mother and daughter laughed heartily

The scene was then disturbed by a knocking at the door

And such a rush immediately ensued across the floor

Then the flushed and boisterous group returned rather

Louder than ever, just in time to greet their father

Who came home attended amid the great excitements

By a man laden with Christmas toys and presents

Then the shouting and struggling began in earnest

Under the onslaught the poor porter did his best

To stand his ground and to repel their advances

As they tried to separate him from his packages

A good time was had by all in the family parlor

As the noise was lowered to an acceptable roar

“Belle,” said the husband, turning to his wife smiling,

“I saw an old friend of yours this afternoon darling”

“Who was it?” she asked “Guess!” was his only reply

“Oh I don’t know,” she said exasperated “How can I?”

“Just Guess Belle” The laughing husband urged her

“Oh I really don’t know” Belle began in despair

Then almost in the same breath as she shook her head

And laughing as he laughed she suddenly said

“Mr. Scrooge” and laughed again “Oh I don’t know”

“Mr. Scrooge it was. I passed by his office window

As it was not shuttered and he had his candle lit

I could see him clear and was curious I must admit

His partner Marley lies on the point of death, I hear

And there he sat quite alone I do believe my dear”

“Spirit!” said Scrooge his voice breaking slightly

“Remove me from this place.” He said pleadingly

“The shadows are of things that have been you see,”

“That they are what they are, do not blame me!”

“Remove me!” Scrooge exclaimed, “I cannot bear it!”

He turned round to the Ghost “Remove me please spirit

Then he turned upon the ghost “Haunt me no longer”

As he noticed the spirits light was glowing stronger

Scrooge seized the extinguisher cap from the spirit

And tried to put out the light that shone bright from it

The spirit was covered but he could not dim the light

Which now spilled upon the ground both left and right

He was overcome by exhaustion and a sense of doom

And was vaguely aware of being in his own bedroom

He gave the cap a final squeeze to push the spirit deep

Then he reeled to his bed and sank into a heavy sleep

 

SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) – STAVE 3 – THE SECOND OF THE THREE SPIRITS – Verses 1 to 3

 

A POEM by Paul Curtis, BASED ON THE STORY by

Charles Dickens “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

 

VERSE 1 – REAWAKENING

 

He woke in the midst of a prodigiously tough snore

And sat up to get his thoughts together once more

Scrooge had no occasion at all to be told by anyone

That the church bell was again upon the stroke of one

He felt that he had awoken just at the right moment

To meet Jacob Marley's second visitor to represent

But turned uncomfortably cold as he became unsure

Which of his curtains this new specter would draw

So decided he would open every one himself instead

And lying down again could see out all round the bed

Despite his preparation the spirits arrival he still feared

But when the Bell struck one, no apparition appeared

He was taken with a fit of trembling wondering why

Five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes went by

Yet nothing came and all this time, he lay on his bed

Then he saw under the adjoining door a glow of red

He got the idea that this glow must have appeared

At the time of the clock striking the hour occurred

He slid into his slippers and shuffled across the floor

And he reluctantly approached the adjoining door

 

VERSE 2 – A MOST CURIOUS VISITOR

 

The moment Scrooge's hand was on the door opener

A strange voice called his name, and bade him enter

He obeyed and soon found himself in his own room

There was no doubt though it lacked its normal gloom

It was the most surprising transformation he’d seen

The walls and ceiling were so hung with living green

That it looked a perfect grove full of nature’s livery 

With bright gleaming berries glistening full and juicy

The crisp green leaves of the holly, mistletoe, and ivy

Reflected the light like mirrored stars small and shiny

And such a mighty blaze went roaring up the chimney

Not seen since well before the days of Jacob Marley

Heaped up on the floor, to form a huge kind of throne

Were turkeys, geese, game, poultry and meat on the bone

Sucking pigs, mince pies and long wreaths of sausages 

Plum-puddings, chestnuts, apples, and juicy oranges

Pears, twelfth-cakes, and seething bowls of punch

That made the room steam and smell of Christmas lunch

Upon the couch, there sat a jolly Giant glorious to see:

Who bore a glowing torch not unlike the horn of Plenty?

He held it high to shed its light on Scrooge and more

As the little man came peeping round the chamber door

“Come in, and know me better, man.” said the ghost

He entered timidly, and hung his head before his host

He was not the dogged Scrooge he had been of old

And though the Spirit's eyes were clear and not cold

He did not like to meet them though they were kindly

“I am the Ghost of Christmas Present Look upon me.”

The huge ghost was clothed in one simple green mantle

And the robe was bordered with white fur also simple

This flowing garment hung so loosely on the figure

That its great capacious breast was almost totally bare

Beneath the ample folds of the green garments fur

Its feet were just observable and they were also bare

And on its head it wore no other covering than a wreath

Made of holly set with shining icicles above and beneath

It had a genial face and long free dark brown curly hair

Its sparkling eyes and general demeanor had a joyful air

It wore an antique scabbard around it coated in dust

But no sword and the sheath was eaten up with rust

Scrooge reverently stood with his back to the door

It said, “You have never seen the like of me before!”

“Never,” Scrooge made answer to it quite nervously

“Have you never walked forth with any of my family?

Either younger brothers or any of my elder brethren

Born in these later years?” it persisted about its kin

“I don't think I have I’m afraid not” he answered it

Then asked, “Have you had many brothers, Spirit?”  

“More than eighteen hundred,” said the apparition

“A large family for whom to have to make provision”

He muttered as The Ghost of Christmas Present rose.

“Spirit,” said Scrooge submissively and almost froze

“Conduct me wherever you will oh ghostly apparition”

He continued “I went forth last night on compulsion

And I learnt a great lesson, which is working now spirit

To-night, what you have to teach me, let me profit by it.”

“Touch my robe.” The green giant soberly instructed

Scrooge did so, and held fast and was thus transported

 

VERSE 3 – IN THE CITY ON CHRISTMAS MORN

 

Holly, mistletoe, red berries, ivy, game and poultry,

Meat, puddings and punch, had all vanished instantly

And the room, fire, night hour and the ruddy glowing

And they stood in city streets on Christmas morning

It was cold, bleak, biting weather with freezing fog

And the streets were enveloped in thick Grey smog

The throng of people could be heard in the street

Stamping hard on the pavements to warm their feet

The house fronts were black and the windows more so

Contrasting with the smooth and white sheet of snow

In the road the snow was dirtier and left in deep furrow

By carts and beneath snow and ice the mud was yellow

There was nothing very cheerful to see in this place

And yet there was an air of cheerfulness you could trace

The people who shoveled away snow were full of glee

Throwing snowball their joviality was plain to see

Poulterer’s, fruiterers and grocers were still just open

To accommodate last minute ladies and gentlemen

The myriad of jolly shopkeepers acted out their charade

Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the last minute trade

Soon the bells called good people to church and chapel

And away they flocked through streets to answer the bell

And at the same time scores of peoples began emerging

From scores of bye-streets, lanes and nameless turning

And the innumerable people all talking ten to the dozen

Were carrying their dinners to cook in the bakers' oven

The sight of these poor revelers interested the Spirit

For outside the bakers he stopped and stood beside it

And taking off the covers as their bearers passed by

Sprinkled incense on the dinners from his torch up high

It was a very uncommon kind of torch, for once or twice

When the behavior of dinner-carriers was not very nice

He shed drops of water on them from his horn of plenty

And their good humor was once again restored directly

They said, it was a shame to quarrel on Christmas Day

Scrooge was curious to know what changed their way

In time the bells ceased, and the bakers were closed

And the late churchgoers stride out smartly clothed

Scrooge got up courage to enquire of his companion

“Is there a peculiar flavor,” he asked of the apparition

“In what you sprinkle from your torch like cone?”

The ghost looked at Scrooge “Yes there is. My own.”

“Would it apply to any kind of dinner on this day?”

“To any kindly given. To a poor one most. I would say”

“Why to a poor one most?” asked Scrooge enquiringly.

“Because it needs it most.” The spirit answered curtly

“Spirit,” after a moment's thought Scrooge spoke thus,

“I wonder you, of all the beings in the worlds about us

Should desire to stop these people's innocent enjoyment.”

“I!” cried the spirit incredulously “I desire to prevent?”

“You deprive them of their means of dining every Sunday

The spirit cried “I!” and scrooge said, “Yes I would say?”

“You seek to close these places on the Seventh Day,”

Said Scrooge. “And it comes to the same thing in a way”

“I seek!” exclaimed the Spirit “If I am wrong forgive me

It’s done if not in your name, then in that of your family,”

“There are some upon this earth” returned the apparition

“Who claim to know us, and do their deeds of passion,

Pride, ill-will, hatred, envy, and bigotry in our name,

Who are strange to us and our kith and kin all the same

Remember, and put the blame on themselves, not us.”

Scrooge promised and apologized for all the fuss

And they went on, invisible, as they had been before

Into the suburbs of the town and stopped beside a door

 

SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) – STAVE 3 – THE SECOND OF THE THREE SPIRITS – Verses 4 to 5

 

A POEM by Paul Curtis, BASED ON THE STORY by

Charles Dickens “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

 

VERSE 4 – IN CAMDEN TOWN

 

They stood in Camden Town outside a poor man’s door

It was the home of Bob Cratchit’s they stood before

The spirit indicated to Scrooge that they would enter

Scrooge held the spirits robe with boney hand and finger

The Spirit stopped on the threshold of the door smiling

With a sprinkle from his torch he blessed Bob’s dwelling

Just think, a fifteen bob a week clerk of no consequence

Has the Ghost of Christmas Present bless his residence

Once inside the four roomed house in Camden Town

They saw Bob’s wife, dressed in a twice-turned gown

Though not dressed in the height of fashion, indeed poorly

Brave in ribbons, which for sixpence decorate cheaply

And she laid the tablecloth, assisted ably by Belinda

Also brave in ribbons who was her second daughter

While Master Peter Cratchit plunged a fork into a pot

In search of a potato to see if it was cooked or not

And now two smaller Cratchit’s, boy and girl, tore in

“We smelt the goose at the bakers” they were screaming

Soon all the young Cratchit’s danced about the table

All squealing in excitement with a hop and gambol

This went on until the slow potatoes began bubbling

Knocking loudly at the saucepan-lid noisily cooking

“Wherever has your father got too what’s keeping him?”

Said Mrs. Cratchit “And your dear brother, Tiny Tim”

And Martha wasn't as late as this last Christmas Day”

“Here's Martha, mother,” said a girl unbarring her way

The two young Cratchit’s cried, “Mother here's Martha!”

“Why, bless your heart alive, my dear, how late you are!”

Kissing her daughter a dozen times, Mrs. Cratchit said

While taking off her shawl and the bonnet off her head

“We'd a deal of work to finish up last night,” said Martha

“And we had to clear it away this morning, mother”

Mrs. Cratchit said “Never mind so long as you are here “.

“Sit down before the fire and have a warm, my dear”

“Father’s coming,” the two young Cratchit’s loudly cried

They were everywhere at once. “Hide, Martha, hide!”

So Martha hid herself, and in came Bob, the father,

In his comforter and with Tiny Tim upon his shoulder

He set down the boy who used a crutch tiny as his name

And had to have his limbs supported by an iron frame

“Why, where's our Martha?” cried Bob looking round

“Not coming,” said Mrs. Cratchit staring at the ground

“Not coming!” said Bob, “Not coming” his wife said 

“Not coming on Christmas Day?” he hung his head

Martha didn't like to see the disappointed on his face

Even in a joke so she came out from her hiding place

And she ran into her father’s arms and embraced him

While the two young Cratchit’s carried young Tiny Tim

Off into the washhouse that he might hear the pudding

As it boils violently in the copper there loudly singing

When Bob had hugged his daughter to his heart's content

Then hugged his wife whom he neglected in his merriment

“And how did little Tim behave?” asked Mrs. Cratchit

Watched only by Ebeneezer Scrooge and the spirit

“As good as gold,” said Bob, “And better my dear

He gets thoughtful so much by himself sitting here

And thinks the strangest things you’ve heard honestly

When we were coming home he said to me earnestly

That he hoped that the people in the church saw him

As he was a cripple, as it may be pleasant for them

To remember on this Christmas Day, he told me

Who it was made the lame walk, and blind men see.”

Bob's voice trembled when he told this news to her

And more so as he said Tiny Tim grew much stronger

His active little crutch was heard noisily upon the floor

And Tiny Tim appeared through the wash house door

He was led to his fireside stool by his brother and sister

Bob put a jug of gin and lemons on the hob to simmer

Peter and the young Cratchit's went to fetch the goose

Returning from the bakers with it spitting in its juice

Such a bustle ensued at the returning goose procession

That you may have thought a goose the rarest acquisition

Mrs. Cratchit made gravy hissing hot and full of flavor

Master Peter mashed potatoes with incredible vigor

Belinda made the apple-sauce Martha dusted plates

Bob took Tiny Tim beside him at the table and waits

The two young Cratchit’s set the chairs for everyone

At last dishes were set, and grace was said and done

It was succeeded by a breathless pause, as Mrs. Cratchit,

Looking at the carving-knife, prepared to plunge it

In the breast of the modest goose, but when she did

The gush of stuffing issued from where it had been hid

One murmur of delight arose all-round the family table

One and all beat on the table with the their knife handle

And all cried Hurrah! As the festivities were let loose

Bob said in all sincerity “There never was such a goose”

Indeed Its tenderness and flavor, size and cheapness

Were the themes of universal admiration and happiness

Eked out by apple-sauce and mashed potatoes all agreed

It was a sufficient dinner for the whole family; indeed

Mrs. Cratchit said surveying a scrap with great delight

That they hadn't eaten everything to the very last bite

Yet everyone had had enough which plainly satisfies

And all were stuffed with sage and onion to the eyes

The dirty plates were cleared away by Miss Martha

And then the clean plates being laid by Miss Belinda

Mrs. Cratchit left the room alone to fetch the pudding

From the wash house and bring it to the table steaming

Suppose it should not be done enough? Well it ought

Suppose it should be done too much? No she thought

Suppose it should break in turning out? Oh damn it

Suppose somebody should have got in and stolen it

All was merry with the goose and gave satisfaction

But all sorts of horrors plagued her in her supposition

The pudding was out of the copper and steaming

In half a minute she returned flushed, but smiling

With the pudding looking like a speckled cannon-ball

Hard and firm, blazing in brandy and holly atop it all

Oh, a wonderful pudding! Bob said, and calmly too

Though it was the greatest success ever in his view

Mrs. Cratchit said it was a weight off her mind really

She confessed she had doubts about the flour quantity

Everybody had something to say about it, but nobody

Said or thought it was a small pudding for a large family

At last the dinner was all done, the cloth was cleared

The hearth swept, and the fire made up until it roared

The gin and lemons were tasted and passed acceptable

And a plate of apples and oranges were put on the table

Then a shovel-full of chestnuts were then put on the fire

And all the family drew around the hearth like a choir

At Bob’s elbow stood the family set of glass on display

Plus two tumblers and a cup with handle broke away 

These held the gin and lemons from the jug, however

A set of golden goblets could not have done better

Bob served out the hot punch while beaming happily

As the chestnuts on the fire sputtered and cracked noisily

Then Bob Cratchit reverently proposed a toast thus

“A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us.”

Which the family re-echoed “God bless us every one!”

Said Tiny Tim, the last to say when the others had done.

He sat close to his father's side upon his little chair

Holding his withered hand he gave the hand a stare

Loving his son and wishing to keep him by his side

His dread that he might lose him he could not hide

 

“Spirit,” said Scrooge with previously unfelt interest

“Tell me if Tiny Tim will live.” He asked in earnest

“I see a vacant seat,” replied the Ghost, “In the corner

And a crutch carefully preserved without an owner

The child will die if these shadows remain unaltered”

“No,” said Scrooge. “Kind Spirit. Say he will be spared.”

“If these shadows do remain unaltered by the Future,

The ghost said, “None other of my race will find him here”

“What then? If he be like to die” continued the apparition

“He had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”

Scrooge hung his head low in penitence and disbelief

To hear his own words and was overcome with grief

“You should hold your tongue and not speak wickedly 

Until you discover what the surplus is, and where it be.”

Scrooge cowered and could not meet the spirit’s eye

“And will you decide who shall live and who shall die?

It may be, you are more worthless in the sight of Heaven

And less fit to live than millions of poor men's children”

Scrooge bent low before the Ghost's rebuke trembling

But raised his eyes speedily on hearing Bob speaking

 

“Mr. Scrooge!” said Bob addressing them like a priest

“I'll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!”

“The Founder of the Feast indeed! I wish I had him here

I'd give him a piece of my mind to feast upon, my dear

And I hope he would have a very good appetite for it.”

Finished the volatile and reddening Mrs. Cratchit

“My dear,” said Bob, “The children. Christmas Day.”

“It should be Christmas Day, I am sure I would say,

On which one drinks the health of such an odiously

Unfeeling man as Mr. Scrooge so cruel hard and stingy

Nobody knows better than you about Scrooges way”

“My dear,” was Bob's mild answer, “Christmas Day.”

“I'll drink his health for your sake and the Day's,”

Said Mrs. Cratchit, “Not for him and his miserable ways

Long life a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

He’ll be very merry and very happy, I’m quite sure”

The children drank the toast after her long address

It was the first of their rituals having no heartiness

Tiny Tim drank last of all, but didn't care much for it

Scrooge was the ogre of the whole family of Cratchit

Mention of his name cast a dark shadow on the party

Lasting full five minutes until they were again hearty

After it had passed away, they were ten times merrier

With thought of Scrooge behind them they were happier

Bob Cratchit told them how he had in his eye a situation

For Master Peter, which would bring in, as contribution

If obtained, full five-and-sixpence weekly for their son

Which that sums receipt would be a bewildering income

The rest of the time passed by in family conversation

While chestnuts and jug went round without cessation

Martha, who was an apprentice at a millinery locally

Told them what kind of work had kept her so busy

And by-and-bye there were songs sung quite by choice

Even Tiny Tim, who had a very plaintive little voice

They were not remarkable they were quite ordinary

They were not a handsome or a well-dressed family

Their shoes were far from being proof against weather

Scanty clothed and were not strangers to the pawnbroker

But, were happy, grateful, pleased with one another

And contented with their lot and their time together

They left the Cratchit family in their happy reveling

The spirit gave a sprinkle from his torch in parting

And Ebeneezer Scrooge had kept his eye upon them

Until the very last moment and especially on Tiny Tim

 

VERSE 5 – WIDELY ABROAD

 

By this time it was getting dark, and snowing heavily

And as they went along the spirit used his torch merrily

Brightness spilled from each kitchen or parlor window

Doors open to welcome visitors to the fireside glow

Every person they passed received a liberal sprinkling

Of the spirits torch his eyes were constantly twinkling

Even the lamplighter received a blessing that night

As he ran the dusky streets dotting them with light

And so it was the spirit blessed all who came before

Then suddenly they stood on a bleak deserted moor

 

Monstrous masses of rude stone were cast randomly

A course barren place where the wind moaned eerily

“What place is this?” asked Scrooge uneasy at the sound

“A place where Miners live, who labor underground”

Returned the Spirit. “But they know me. Look and see.”

A light shone out from the window of a hut distantly

Swiftly they moved to it as the wind continued to moan

And they passed through the wall of mud and stone

Inside the dwelling they found a cheerful company

Made up of several generations of the same family

They were all happily assembled round a glowing fire

And everyone was decked out gaily in holiday attire

The oldest man led them in the Christmas singing

As loud and hearty at the end as in the beginning

Then they passed through the mud wall once more

To once again stand upon the grim desolate moor

The Spirit and Scrooge did not however tarry here

They sped away with Scrooge tried to hide his fear

 

To Scrooge's horror they flew off across the dark sea

Looking back, he saw the last of the land fading quickly

Below were ragged rocks pounded by thundering waves

There treachery sending many men to watery graves

Built on this reef of sunken rock and out cropping

There stood a solitary lighthouse to warn all shipping

But even out here, the two men who watched the light

Had made a fire and were making merry on the holy night

Again the Ghost sped on, above the black heaving sea

On until far from shore they saw a ship blown fiercely 

 

They lighted on the ship and stood beside the helmsman

Who fought with the wheel watched by a midshipman

But every man of them as against the wind they fought

Hummed a Christmas tune, or had a Christmas thought

Or spoke to a companion of some bygone Christmas Day

And every man on board spoke in a much friendlier way

Then the ship suddenly faded away and the wind died

And laughter pervaded as they stood under a city sky

 

SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) – STAVE 3 – THE SECOND OF THE THREE SPIRITS – Verses 6 to 7

 

A POEM by Paul Curtis, BASED ON THE STORY by

Charles Dickens “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

 

VERSE 6 – A VISIT TO FRED’S

 

They stood outside a house were laughter emanated

Then he and the spirit into the house they permeated

It was a bright, gay, gleaming room that met their view

To his surprise the laughter came from his nephew 

Scrooge stood with the Spirit who was smiling happily

Looking at Scrooge’s nephew with approving affability

“Ha, ha!” laughed Scrooge's nephew. “Ha, ha, ha!”

It would be hard to find a man to laugh heartier

If a man more blessed in a laugh than his nephew

Existed then Scrooge would want to know him too

His head rolled and he shook his ample proportions

And twisted his face into extravagant contortions

Scrooge's niece, by marriage, laughed as heartily as he

And their assembled friends also roared out lustily

“Ha, ha, ha, ha!” “He said that,” cried his nephew

“Christmas was a humbug, as I live! He believed it too.”

“More shame for him, Fred.” said his wife indignantly

Scrooge forgave her, as she was exceedingly pretty 

With a dimpled peaches and cream complexion

And a smile that gave her the sunniest disposition

“He's a comical old fellow,” said Fred affectionately 

“That’s the truth: and not as pleasant as he might be.

However, his offenses carry their own punishment,

And I have nothing to say against him in testament”

Then his wife said “I'm sure he is very rich, Fred,”

“At least you always tell me that is so.” She hinted

Fred said to her in reply “What of that, my dear?”

“His wealth is of absolutely no use to him at all I fear”

Fred continued “He doesn't do any good with it.

And he doesn't make himself comfortable with it.

He hasn't even the satisfaction of thinking so far

That he is ever going to benefit us with it” ha, ha, ha!

“I have no patience with him,” Scrooges niece said

Her sisters, and the ladies, expressed the same to Fred

“Oh, I have” Fred said to everyone with some pride

I’m sorry for him I couldn't be angry with him if I tried

After all who is it who really suffers by his ill whim?”

Answering his own question Fred said “Always him”

Here, Uncle Scrooge takes it into his head to dislike us,

And he won't come and dine with us every Christmas.

And the result? He misses out on a moderate dinner”

Fred said to the room smiling broadly like a sinner 

“I think he loses out on a very good dinner, indeed”

Interrupted his wife and everyone in the room agreed

“Well. I'm very glad to hear it,” he said of his slurs

“Because I lack faith in these young housekeepers”

Pausing for a hearty laugh “What do you say, Topper?”

Topper clearly had his eye on the little plump sister

He answered what a wretched outcast was a bachelor 

With no right to an opinion on the subject set before 

His obvious admiration went from her hair to her boots

Where upon the plump niece blushed to her roots

“Do go on, Fred,” his wife said with hands clapping

Scrooge's nephew reveled in another fit of laughing

He stifled the laugh and said, “I was only going to say 

That the consequence of his taking dislike to us this way

And not making merry with us, is, that he loses many

Pleasant moments, which could do him no harm surely.

Losing pleasanter companions than he can find ever

In his thoughts, either in his office or his chamber

So I mean to give him the same chance every year,

Whether he likes it or not, for I pity my uncle dear.

He may rail at Christmas all he likes until he dies

But year after year I will continue until he complies”

The festivities continued with the happy company

Merriment abounded and the bottle passed joyously

After tea they had music with songs about the piano

Fred wife played well on the harp tunes from long ago

With the music Scrooge recalled what he had seen

What the Ghost had shown him and where he’d been

It all came upon his mind all what had gone before

And with the gay music he softened more and more

But they didn't devote the whole evening to music

Topper was encouraged to perform a magic trick

Then they played parlor games for amusement

First blind man’s bluff caused such great merriment

With topper clearly cheating as pursued high and low

The plump sister catching her beneath the mistletoe

Blind-man’s buff was not the game for Scrooges niece

Who was comfortably in a corner safe and in peace

With footstool and large comfy chair in a snug corner

Where the Ghost and Scrooge were close behind her

But she however excelled when she joined in forfeits

And warmed Scrooges heart and raised his spirits

She beat them all hollow from her large comfy chair

And likewise at the game of How, When, and Where

There might have been twenty people there present

Young and old, but they all joined in the merriment

Even Scrooge, who forgot he wasn’t there at the party

And shouted the answers ever more loud and hearty

But despite Scrooge quite often getting the answers

Often very loudly his voice made no sound in their ears

This didn’t bother him and he didn’t think it to be rude

The Ghost was very pleased to find him in this mood

Scrooge intimated that he would be broken hearted

If he were not allowed to stay until the guests departed

But this the Spirit told Scrooge could not be done

“One more game,” said Scrooge. “Please Spirit, only one.”

So they stayed for one more Game called Yes and No

And when the game was over it was time for them to go

Before Scrooges eyes the room before him unravels

And he and the Spirit were again upon their travels.

 

VERSE 7 – ABROAD AGAIN

 

Much they saw, and far they went, people to attend

Many homes they visited, but always a happy end

The Spirit stood by sick beds, and they were cheerful

Comforting the old and frail and those who were fearful

On foreign lands, and at home; beside struggling men,

Those patient in their hope; by poverty, and rich again

In almshouse, hospital, workhouse treadmill and jail

In misery's every refuge where people try and fail

Where vain man in his little brief authority no doubt

Had not made fast the door and barred the Spirit out

He left his blessing, and taught Scrooge his precepts.

And not lost on Scrooge were the spirits concepts

It was a long night, if only a night which he doubted

Scrooge had now seen his error and his heart shouted

It was strange, that while Scrooge appeared unaltered

The Ghost grew older, clearly and his voice faltered.

Scrooge had seen this change, but never spoke of it,

Until leaving a children's party he addressed the spirit

“Are spirits' lives so short?” he asked gravely his host

“My life on this globe, is very brief,” replied the Ghost

“It ends to-night.” It said and Scrooge replied “To-night!”

“My time upon this earth ends To-night at midnight

The time draws near.” He said neath the clock tower

“Hark!” and the chimes rang a quarter to the hour

“Forgive me for asking” said Scrooge in puzzlement

He was looking intently at the spirits long garment

“But I see something strange down there on the floor

Protruding from your skirts. Is it a foot or a claw?”

“It might be a claw, for all the flesh there is on it,”

Was its sorrowful reply. “Look here.” Said the spirit

From the folds of its robe, it brought two creatures

Children, wretched, abject, with frightful features

They knelt down at its feet, and clung on in fear

“Oh, Man, look here! Look, look, down here!”

Exclaimed the Ghost. To Scrooge who was nervous

It was a boy and girl though it was not obvious

“Spirit, are they yours?” Scrooge could say no more.

“They are Man's,” It said looking at them on the floor

“Appealing from their fathers they cling to me there

This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. So beware”

His voice was grave and solemn and held no joy

“Beware them both, but most of all beware this boy

For on his brow I see that the word doom is written

Unless the writing be erased beware these children”

The spirit cried stretching its hand toward the city

“If you deny it! Or slander those who tell it to ye.

Admit it for your factious purposes, or defend

And then make it worse. And you will abide the end.”

“Have they no refuge or resource?” Scrooge cried.

“Are there no prisons?” ironically the Spirit replied,

“Are there no workhouses?” for the very last time

Using his own words on him at the midnight chime

At the stroke of the bell Scrooge looked all about

But the ghost was gone he was alone without doubt

As the last stroke ceased he lifted up his eyes to see

He suddenly remembered the prediction of Marley

And beheld a solemn draped and hooded apparition

Coming, like a mist along the ground, in his direction

 

SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) – STAVE 4 – THE LAST OF THE SPIRITS – Verses 1 to 2

 

A POEM by Paul Curtis, BASED ON THE STORY by

Charles Dickens “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

 

VERSE 1 – THE PHANTOM OF THE FUTURE

 

The Phantom approached slowly, gravely, silently

When it came, Scrooge bent down upon his knee

For the very air which this spirit moved through

It seemed to scatter gloom and mystery in his view

The phantom was shrouded in a deep black uniform

Which concealed its head and face its limbs and form

And left nothing visible save one outstretched hand

Scrooge managed to summon up the courage to stand

It was not easy to separate the figure from the night

By the virtue that it was surrounded by a lack of light

Though it was tall and stately fear filled Scrooge’s head

And the presence of it filled him with a solemn dread

Surprisingly it was a very motionless and silent spirit

And reluctantly Scrooge was prompted to question it 

“Are you the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come?” he said

The Spirit did not answer, but nodded with its head

“You will show me things that have not happened yet,

But will happen in the time before us, is that so, Spirit?”

The slightest movement of its head could be perceived

An inclination was the only answer Scrooge received

Although by this time well used to ghostly company

Scrooge feared the dark and silent phantom greatly

So much so that his legs trembled beneath his body

And when he prepared to follow it his steps were heavy

Scrooge exclaimed, “I fear you Ghost of the Future!”

More than any spirit I have seen more than any specter

But as I know spirit that to do me good is your plan

And as I hope to live my life and to be another man

From what I was, I am prepared to bear you company,

And do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me?”

It gave him no reply. The hand pointed straight on

“Lead on spirit,” said Scrooge tiredly. “Just Lead on.

The night is waning fast, and it is precious time to me,

So lead on” The Phantom moved off effortlessly

 

VERSE 2 – THE PLACE OF MERCHANT’S

 

The phantom’s shadow seemed to carry Scrooge along

Then suddenly they were in amongst the city’s throng

They didn’t enter it they just seemed to enter the city

The city actually sprang up about them in reality

But they were in its heart amongst the merchants

With the chinking of money and mongers chants

The Spirit stopped beside a knot of businessmen

They were known to Scrooge who’d met them often

Observing the spirit stop Scrooge halted his walk

The spirit pointed so Scrooge listened to their talk.

“No,” said a great fat man with an even fatter head,

“I don't know much about it, I only know he's dead.”

“When did he die?” inquired another. “Last night”

The general tone was not at all grave but rather light

“What was the matter with him?” asked a third,

“I thought he'd never die.” Not even a little absurd

“God knows,” said the first, yawning in assent

“What about his money?” asked a red-faced gent

“I haven't heard, perhaps he left it to his company”

He said “All I know is that he hasn't left it to me.”

They responded with a laugh to this pleasantry

“It will be a very cheap funeral more than likely,”

Said the same speaker “For on my life I don't know

Of anybody who knew him who would want to go, 

I suppose we could make up a party and volunteer?”

“Only if a lunch is provided,” said one with a sneer

And then another laugh echoed around the mall

“Well, I am the most disinterested of you, after all,”

Said the first speaker, “I never ever eat lunch and

Black gloves are never ever seen upon my hand

But I will offer to go, if somebody else will also

I think I was his most particular friend you know”

With that the group broke up going separate ways

And the speakers and the listeners strolled away

To mix with other groups. Scrooge knew the men

And looked towards the Spirit for some explanation

 

The Phantom did not speak yet glided on to a street

Its finger pointed to where two persons would meet

Scrooge listened, thinking it maybe the explanation

He knew these men who were now in conversation

They were great men of business and very wealthy

Of great importance and of good opinion worthy

Scrooge made a point of standing well in their esteem

But only in a business point of view it would seem

“How are you?” said one of the men “How are you?”

Returned the other. “Well!” said the first to be true

“Well Old Scratch has got his own at last, then hey.” 

“So I’m told,” returned the second. “And so they say”

“Cold, isn't it?” Said the first of the business men

“Seasonable for Christmas. Do you like skating”?

“No. No. Something else to think of. Good morning.”

Not another word was said, that was their meeting,

That was their conversation, and then their parting.

Scrooge was surprised the Spirit thought important

Conversations apparently so trivial and insignificant

But feeling assured they must have some relevancy

He set himself to consider what it was likely to be

He reasoned they had no bearing on Marley’s demise

Jacob died in the past so he didn’t see how it applies

He could not think of any person connected to him

And was at a loss to explain what had provoked them

But he did not doubt there was in the scenes content

Some moral to be learned for his own improvement

He resolved to treasure what he saw and every word

And to observe his shadow and act on what he heard

For he decided that the conduct of his future entity

Would render him the solution of these riddles easy

He looked about the merchants for his own figure

But another man stood in his corner in the future

But before the significance of this could sink in

The phantom stood beside him its hand pointing

When he roused himself from his thoughtful quest

And turned his full attention to his phantom guest

He felt the unseen eyes were looking at him keenly

It made him shudder, and feel very cold suddenly

They left the busy scene both familiar and renowned

And went instantly into an obscure part of the town

 

SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) – STAVE 4 – THE LAST OF THE SPIRITS – Verses 3 to 5

 

A POEM by Paul Curtis, BASED ON THE STORY by

Charles Dickens “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

 

VERSE 3 – OLD JOE’S

 

Scrooge had never been here before and it didn’t suit

Although he knew it’s situation, and its bad repute

The ways were foul and narrow the houses squalid

The people wretched, drunken, ugly and slipshod

Offensive smells were disgorged from every alley

The whole quarter reeked of crime, filth, and misery

Far in this den of infamy was a rag and bone shop

To Scrooges surprise it was here that he had to stop

The floor within the shop had piles and heaps upon

Of rusty keys, nails, chains, hinges, and refuse iron

Sitting in among what he dealt in, by a charcoal stove

Was a seventy five year old and gray-haired cove

Screened from the cold air behind a curtain of rags

And smoked his pipe amidst piles of clothes and bags

The Phantom entered with Scrooge close by his side

Just as a woman with a heavy bundle slunk inside

But she had scarcely entered, when another woman

Similarly laden came in closely followed by a man

It was clear that all four were known to each other

And they stood embarrassed eyeing one another 

Then after quite a short period of blank astonishment

They all three burst into a laugh of nervous merriment

“Let the charwoman go first!” cried the first woman

“The laundress second and third the undertaker's man

After all Joe here’s a chance that all three haven’t met”

She continued “All together without us meaning it!”

“You couldn't have met in a better place,” said old Joe

And removed his pipe from his mouth and said, “Let’s go

Come into the parlor, let me just shut the shop door

How it shrieks, there’s nothing here that’s rusted more

And I'm sure there's no bones here old as mine. Ha, ha!

We're suited to our calling, we're well matched we are

Come into the parlor then all it’s a cold, cold night 

Come into the parlor.” Joe said, “I’ll trim the light”

They all followed after the old rag and bone broker

The old man then raked the fire over with a poker

While he did this, the woman who had already spoken

Threw her bundle on the floor as a gesture or token

Then she sat down in a flaunting manner on a chair

And then she gave her two companions a defiant stare

“Well what odds then. Mrs. Dilber.” said the woman.

“Everyone has a right to look to themselves if they can.

He always did.” She said in a tone of self-righteousness

“True, indeed, No man more so” said the laundress

“Why then, who's to be the wiser? And who knows?

We're not going to pick holes in each other, I suppose?”

“No, indeed,” said Mrs. Dilber and the man together

“We should hope not.” Said the solemn old undertaker

“Very well, then! Who's the worse, goodness knows

For the loss of these things? Not a dead man, I suppose.”

“No, indeed,” said Mrs. Dilber, laughing nervously anew

“If he wanted to keep them after death, wicked old screw,”

Pursued the woman, “Why wasn't he more natural in life?

If he had been, he'd have had somebody in his strife

To look after him when he was struck with death,

Instead of lying alone gasping out his last breath”

“It's true it's a judgment on him,” said Mrs. Dilber.

The woman replied “I wish it had been a bit heavier

And it would have been, you may depend upon it,

If I could have lain my hands on more I will admit

Open the bundle, old Joe, and let me know the value

You can speak plain old Joe in front of those two

I'm not afraid to be the first, nor for them to see

Come on then old Joe open the bundle and tell me

We knew we were helping ourselves before we met

I believe. It's no sin. Open the bundle, Joe. Let’s see it”

But the gallantry of her friends would not allow her

And the man stepped forward and produced his plunder

It wasn’t much, a pair of sleeve-buttons, a seal or two

A pencil case and a brooch all of them no great value.

Old Joe severely examined and appraised them all

Then chalked the sum he was to give on the wall

“That's yours done, and not another penny or so

Not if I was to be boiled for not doing it.” Said Joe

“Who's next?” Mrs. Dilber was next. Sheets and towel,

Sugar tongs, silver tea spoons, a little wearing apparel,

Her account was stated on the wall in the same way

“I always give too much to ladies it’s the price I pay

It's my weakness and that's the way I ruined myself,

That's yours said Joe putting the goods on the shelf

If you asked me for a penny more than I’ve writ down

I'll repent of being so liberal and knock off half-a-crown.”

“And now undo my bundle, Joe,” said the first woman.

Joe went down on his knees difficult for an old man

And undid the bundle revealing something uncertain

“What do you call this?” said old Joe. “A Bed-curtain?”

“Ah”! She replied leaning forward her face cracking

“Bed-curtains Joe” continued the woman, laughing

“You don’t mean to say you took them down, so

Rings and all with him lying there?” asked old Joe

“Yes I do,” replied the woman. “Why not though?”

“You were born to make your fortune,” said Joe,

Joe laughed heartily “and you will certainly do it.”

“I certainly shan't hold my hand, when I can get

Anything in it by reaching, for the sake of a so and so

Such a man as he was, I promise you that old Joe,”

Returned the woman. Joe examined the next item

“Don't drop oil upon the blankets, don’t spoil them”

“His blankets?” asked Joe. “Whose would they be?”

She replied “He won’t get a chill without them, will he?”

“I hope he didn't die of anything catching. Eh?”

Said old Joe, stopping in his work, and looking at her

“Don't you be afraid of that, if he did” said the woman.

“I wasn’t so fond of him that I'd loiter with the man

And you may look through that shirt till your eyes ache

You’ll find no hole, nor threadbare place and no mistake

It's the very best he had, and a fine one too as you see

And they'd have wasted it, if it hadn't been for me.”

“And what do you call wasting of it?” asked old Joe.

“Putting it on him to be buried in, don’t you know”

She said with a laugh “Somebody was fool enough

To put it on, but I took it off and dressed him in rough

If calico ain't good enough for the purpose of burying

It isn't good enough for anything. It's quite as becoming”

She said, “He can't look uglier than he did in that one.”

Scrooge listened to this horrified at what they’d done

As they sat grouped about their spoil, in the scanty light

He was filled with detestation and disgust at the sight

“Ha, ha!” laughed the same woman, as Joe paid out

Laughter still rang in his ears as they went without

“Spirit,” said Scrooge, shuddering from head to toe

“I see, the case of this man might be my own I know”

Shaking with rage and fear “I know” he began again

“My life tends that way, now. Oh Merciful Heaven,”

“What is this?” he said fearing that he was deranged

And he recoiled in terror, for the scene had changed

 

VERSE 4 – RIP

 

They stood in a room by a bare and un-curtained bed

On which, beneath a ragged sheet lay something dead

The room was very, very dark, too dark to see clear

But Scrooge glanced round anyway driven by fear

A shaft of pale moonlight fell straight upon the bed

The Phantom steady hand was pointed to the head

Scrooge looked at the phantom then again at the man

The plundered and bereft, unwept and uncared for man

The sheet was so loosely arranged that any movement

Would have exposed the cadaver’s embodiment

Scrooge thought of how easy it would be to do it

But was as powerless to do so as to dismiss the spirit

Though he was willing He could not expose the face

“Spirit,” Scrooge said, “This is a cold fearful place.

I shall not leave this lesson, trust me. Let us not linger.”

Still the Ghost pointed to the head with a bony finger

“I understand you,” Scrooge said “And I would do it,

If I only could. But I have not the power to, Spirit.”

The phantom seemed to look coldly down on him 

“If there is any person in the town, who has in them”

Scrooge said, “Any emotion caused by this man's death,

Show them to me, I beg you with my last breath.”

The Phantom spread its dark robe out like a wing

And then a new scene appeared on its withdrawing

 

VERSE 5 – A SHOW OF EMOTION

 

The scene revealed was a room illuminated by the day

Where a mother watched her children quietly play 

She was expecting some one with anxious eagerness

For she began pacing up and down in her distress

She started at every sound and looked out the window

Then glanced at the clock the tried in vain to sit and sew

She could hardly bear the noise of her playing children

But the expected and feared knock was heard then

Hurrying to the door she found her husband there

A young man who’s depressed face was full of care

But there was a remarkable expression in it now

A kind of serious delight about his eyes and brow

The feelings of delight of which he felt ashamed

And he struggled hard to repress the joy unnamed

He sat down near to his wife beside the fireside

Her obvious anxiety was quite impossible to hide

Then she asked him to tell her the news that he had

When he didn’t answer “Is it good.” she said, “or bad?”

“Bad,” he answered. “We are quite ruined.” Said she

“No. Caroline” he replied “There is hope yet you see”

“If he relents then nothing is past hope,” Caroline said

“He is past relenting,” said her husband. “He is dead.”

Caroline was mild and pleasant still in her youth

An open young creature whose face showed the truth

She was thankful in her soul to hear it and was happy

She prayed forgiveness next moment, and was sorry

“What the half-drunken woman actually said to me

About him being ill and not allowing me to see

When I tried to see him and obtain a week's delay

And I told you last night dear that I was sent away

I thought that it was an excuse and she was lying

Well it was true but he wasn’t only very ill, but dying”

“To whom will our debt be transferred to though?”

She asked him and he replied to her “I don't know.

But before that we shall have the money for them

And if not we’ll not find a successor as mean as him”

“Caroline we may sleep with lighter hearts tonight

Yes for the future does indeed look exceeding bright”

Even the children became brighter with each breath

And it was a much happier house for this man's death.

 

SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) – STAVE 4 – THE LAST OF THE SPIRITS – Verses 6 to 7

 

A POEM by Paul Curtis, BASED ON THE STORY by

Charles Dickens “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

 

VERSE 6 – BACK IN CAMDEN TOWN

 

Now the only emotion that the phantom could show

Caused by the death, was only one of pleasure though 

“Let me see some tenderness connected with a death,”

Said Scrooge; “Some tenderness spirit is my request”

The Ghost conducted him through alley and street

Road, lane and thoroughfare all of them familiar to his feet

And as they went along, Scrooge looked here and there

To find himself, but he could not see himself anywhere

They reached poor Bob Cratchit's humble house again 

And found around the fire sat mother and children

It was Quiet. Very quiet unnaturally so in Scrooges views

Even The noisy little Cratchit’s were as still as statues

Sat in a corner, looking up at Peter, who was reading

The mother and her daughters were engaged in sewing

It was very quiet as he read from the book before him

“And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them.”

The mother laid her work upon the table at her side

Put her hand to her face to hide the tear she’d cried

“The color hurts my eyes,” she said to the children 

Then Mrs. Cratchit said, “They're better now again,

Sewing by candlelight makes them weak rather

And I wouldn't want to show weak eyes to your father

Not for the world I wouldn’t” she heard a bell chime

“No not when he comes home, it must be near his time.”

“Past it rather,” Peter answered, shutting up his book.

Then he walked to the window so that he could look

Then he said “But I think he's walked a little slower

These last few evenings, than he used to, mother”

They were quiet again. Until she broke the silence

And in a steady, cheerful voice, only faltering once

“I have known him walk with Tiny Tim on his shoulder

Very fast indeed.” “And so have I, often” cried Peter

“And so have I,” exclaimed another. So had they all.

“He was very light to carry,” she continued to recall

Resuming her work, “And his father loved him so,

That it was no trouble” she faltered “No trouble, no”

“There your father at the door!” continued the mother

She hurried to meet him as Bob stood in his comforter

He sat beside the fire as his wife prepared some tea

And they all tried to settle him down comfortably

Then the two young Cratchit’s got up on his knees

And each child kissed his cheek to set him at ease

He feigned good cheer and spoke to them all pleasantly

And Bob saw their work and he praised the industry

And the speed that Mrs. Cratchit and the girls display

He said they would be done long before next Sunday

“Sunday Robert! You went to-day, then?” she said

“Yes I went their today, my dear,” Bob responded

“I wish you had come, you could have seen It then

Seen how green a place it is but you'll see it often.

I promised him that I would walk there on a Sunday”

His words deserted him then and he could only say

“My little, little child!” cried Bob. “My little son!”

He broke down the loss was to great of his little one

He couldn't help it. It was the price of feeling love

He left the room, and went up to the room above,

Which was lit cheerfully, and hung with Christmas.

And he entered and saw the cause of his distress

There was a chair set close beside the child’s bed

And he composed himself and kissed the little head

When he was reconciled to the loss of his little son

He went down stairs content to be with everyone

They drew about the fire, and huddled against the chill

And talked at length the girls and mother working still

Bob told them of the act of extraordinary kindness

By Mr. Scrooge's nephew who witnessed his distress

When they had met that very day in Camden town

And noticing that Bob looked more than a little down

Inquired what had happened to distress Bob Cratchit

“And as he is a nice fellow” said Bob, “I told him all of it.

'I am heartily sorry for it, Mr. Cratchit’, he said to me,

'And heartily sorry for your good wife most heartily’.

“By the bye, how he ever knew that, I don't know.”

“Knew what, my dear?” she said continuing to sew

“Why, that you were a good wife,” Bob said warmly

“Everybody knows that,” said Peter very proudly

“Very well observed,” cried Bob. “I hope they do.

'Heartily sorry,' he said, 'sorry for the both of you.

If I can be of service to you in any way,' said he,

Giving me his card, 'I live here. Pray come to me.”

It really seemed as if he knew our Tiny Tim, and felt it”

“I'm sure he's a good dear soul,” said Mrs. Cratchit.

“I shouldn't be at all surprised so mark what I say,”

Bob said, “If he got Peter a better situation one day

And Peter will make his way in some way or other

But however and whenever we part from one another,

I am sure we shall none of us forget poor Tiny Tim”

“Never, father!” cried them all. “We’ll never forget him”

“I know, my dears, that when we recollect how patient

And how mild he was and how happy and content

And although he was a little, little child we shall not

Easily quarrel, among ourselves” Bob said “and forget

Poor Tiny Tim in doing it.” “No, never!” they all said

“I am very happy,” said Bob, “I am very contented!”

Mrs. Cratchit kissed him; his daughters kissed him,

The two young Cratchit’s kissed him and he kissed them

Peter shook his father’s hands and gave a foppish nod

Spirit of Tiny Tim, thy childish essence was from God

 

VERSE 7 – WRITING ON THE STONE

 

“Spectre! Something tells me but I don’t know how”

Said Scrooge “That our parting moment is at hand now

Tell me what man that was whom we saw lying dead?”

The spirit did not speak yet conveyed him on instead

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come led him, as before

Through a different time, to another place in the future

“This court,” said Scrooge, “Is a very familiar location

And that’s my counting house and place of occupation

Spirit of the future let me behold what I shall be

In the days to come and see what becomes of me”

The Spirit stopped but the hand pointed elsewhere.

“It’s here” He exclaimed. “Why do you point there?”

But the bony spectral finger continued to point away

Scrooge rushed over to his office window anyway

He looked in, It was an office still, but not his own

The furniture was not the same and décor unknown

And the figure in the chair was not Scrooge clearly

The Phantom just pointed as before disinterestedly

Scrooge rejoined it once again and they continued

Until through iron gates a churchyard he viewed

Here than in a churchyard the man who lay dead

Under the sheet now lay beneath the earth instead

The Spirit stood among the graves, and pointed to one

Scrooge advanced to it trembling, as it must be done

“Spirit before I draw nearer to that stone’s location,”

Pleaded Scrooge, “Answer me just one question.

Are these the shadows of the things that will be,

Or are they shadows of things that May be, only?”

Still the Ghost pointed to the grave it was stood by

Despite no response Scrooge was resigned to try

“Men's courses will foreshadow,” he began to plead

Certain ends, which, if persevered in, they must lead,”

“But if the courses be departed from, the ends will be

Changed, Say it is thus with what you show me.”

Scrooge crept towards the grave trembling madly

And read on the cold stone, Ebeneezer Scrooge. R.I.P. 

“Am I that man who lay upon the bed?” he cried,

Slumped to his knees he begged the spirit to confide 

The finger went from the grave to him and back again.

“No, Spirit! Please don’t send me to that dark domain”

“Good Spirit!” he cried, clutching at its robe tightly,

The finger still was there pointing. “Spirit hear me”

I’m not the man I was and I won’t be that man again

That I must have been but for this spiritual campaign

Why show me this, if I am past all hope good spirit?” 

“Oh Good Spirit,” he pursued and fell down before it

“Assure me that, by an altered life, you guarantee

I may change these shadows you have shown me.”

Then Scrooge with his hands trembling held his head

“I will honor Christmas in my heart”, Scrooge said

And I will try to keep it all the year you can be sure

I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future

And within me shall strive The Spirits of all Three

I will not shut out the lessons that they teach me

Oh, please tell me” Scrooge cried in a pleading tone

That I may sponge away the writing on this stone!”

In his agony, he caught the spectral hand of the spirit

It sought to free itself, but he was strong, and held it

The Spirit, stronger, shook him and left him prostrate

He held up his hands in a last prayer to save his fate

He saw a change in hood and dress of his spirit host

It shrunk, collapsed, and dwindled into a bedpost

 

SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) – STAVE 5 – THE END OF IT – Verses 1 to 2

 

A POEM by Paul Curtis, BASED ON THE STORY by

Charles Dickens “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

 

VERSE 1 - REDEMPTION

 

Yes! And the bedpost was his own as was the bed

The room was his and the curtains on the bedstead

But the Best and happiest of all and most amazing

The Time before him was his, to make amends in!

“I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future!”

He repeated, as he scrambled out of bed “I assure”

“The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.

On my knees I say it on my knees, old Jacob Marley!

Heaven, and the Christmas Time be praised for this

He was fluttered and glowing and brimful of bliss

He had sobbed hard in his struggle with the spirit

And his face was wet with tears as evidence of it

He folded a bed-curtain about him as if held in a spell

Then he cried “They are not torn down, rings as well

They are here, I am here and the would be shadow 

Will be dispelled all the shadows will be! That I know”

All this time his hands busied with his shirt and gown

Pulling them inside out and turning them upside down,

Scrooge was both laughing and crying simultaneously

And the said “I don't know what to do! I don’t really”

“I am as light as a feather,” he said skipping with joy

“I’m happy as an angel, I’m merry as a schoolboy

I’m giddy as a drunken man” he staggered and twirled  

“Merry Christmas and happy New Year to the world!”

He had danced off into the sitting room in his excess

And was now standing there winded and breathless

“There's the saucepan that the gruel was in!” he cried

Setting off again, and dancing around about the fireside

“There's the door, by which Marley’s Ghost entered at

And the corner where the Ghost of Christmas Present, sat

There's the window where I saw the wandering Spirits.

It’s all true, it all happened. And I haven’t lost my wits!”

He laughed heartily amazing for a man out of practice

It was a splendid illustrious laugh born of joy and bliss

Even he didn’t believe the brilliant laughter was his

Then he said, “I don't know what day of the month it is,”

“I don't know how long I've been among the Spirits

I don't know anything. And I don't care.” He admits

He was halted suddenly by the church bells ringing out

The lustiest peals he had ever heard without any doubt

He ran to the window, opened it, and put out his head.

No fog, no mist, but clear, bright, stirring, cold instead

Golden sunlight; heavenly sky; sweet fresh air, glorious

And the merry-bells pealed out oh, glorious Christmas!

Scrooge called down to a boy in Sunday clothes, “Hey!”

Scrooge paused to chuckle “You boy what’s to-day?”

“Eh?” returned the boy, with all his might of wonder.

“What's to-day, my fine fellow?” Scrooge called louder

“To-day?” replied the boy. “Why, it’s Christmas Day.”

“I haven't missed it.” Scrooge said “it’s Christmas day!

The Spirits have managed to do it all in one night

Well they can do anything they like, that’s right

Yes of course they can. Hallo, my fine young fellow!”

“Hallo!” returned the boy still standing down below

“Do you know the Poulterer's, in the next street but one

On the corner?” he inquired smiling when he had done.

The boy replied a little puzzled “I should hope I did,”

“An intelligent boy!” said Scrooge. “A remarkable kid!

Do you know whether they’ve sold the prize Turkey?

That was hanging up there, the great big one obviously?”

The boy replied smartly “What, the one as big as me?”

“What a delightful boy!” said Ebeneezer laughing-ly

“It's a pleasure to talk to him. Yes, my young fellow”

“It's hanging their now,” replied the boy. “That I know”

“Is it?” said Scrooge. “Go and buy it my young lad”

“What!” exclaimed the boy “You must be raving mad”

“No, no,” said Scrooge, “I am in earnest, Go and buy it,

Tell them to bring it here, and I will give an address for it”

At first the boy seemed a little reluctant to do the job

“Then come back with the man, and I'll give you a “bob”.

Do it under five minutes and I'll make it half-a-crown.”

The boy was off like a shot to find the Poulterer’s in town

“I'll send it to Bob Cratchit's!” Scrooge whispered low

And laughed heartily as the boy ran off through the snow

“It will be a surprise it's twice the size of Tiny Tim”

Sadly he reflected Bob would not suspect it sent by him

 

VERSE 2 – A POULTRY SUM AND TWO PORTLY GENTLEMEN

 

The hand he wrote the address in was not a steady one

But he wrote it and went down-stairs when it was done

As he stood, awaiting arrival of the Poulterer’s man

The knocker caught his eye, he thought how it all began

He touched it gently and admired its kind expression

The Turkey arrived and he labeled it with its destination

The Poulterer’s man was dispatched to Camden in a cab

And Scrooge duly paid half a crown out to the lad

Throughout his dealings with the Turkey and the boy

Scrooge chuckled unable to suppress his obvious joy

After shaving he dressed himself up all in his best

And at last got out into the streets and felt well blessed

People were by this time pouring forth to great extent

As they had when with the Ghost of Christmas Present

Scrooge walked with his hands behind him for a while

And he regarded every one with a most delighted smile

He looked so irresistibly pleasant that more than a few

Said, “Good morning, sir. A merry Christmas to you.”

Scrooge had not gone very far along his way when

Coming towards him he beheld the portly gentlemen

Who walked into his counting house on Christmas Eve

And said to him, “Scrooge and Marley's, I believe.”

A pang of regret crossed his heart as he recalled it

They may wish to avoid him he was forced to admit

But their displeasure he would just have to face

“My dear sir,” said Scrooge, quickening his pace,

And taking the older gentleman by both his hands

“How do you do. I hope you succeeded in your plans”

He then turned his attention to the other man’s partner

“It was very kind of you. A merry Christmas to you, sir!”

“Mr. Scrooge?” the man said his dislike obvious to view

“That’s my name, and I fear not a pleasant one to you

Allow me to ask your pardon. And have the goodness” 

Here Scrooge whispered in his ear and eased his distress

“Lord bless me!” he cried as if his breath were taken

“My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you serious? Am I mistaken?”

“If you please,” said Scrooge. “And not a farthing less.

A great many back-payments are included in it, I confess

Will you do me that favor?” Scrooge asked of them

“My dear sir,” said the other, shaking hands with him

“We don't know what to say to such munificence. Sir”

“Please say nothing,” He retorted “I would prefer”

“Come and see me. Will you come and see me?”

“We will!” they both cried who would do it clearly

“Thank you both, I am much obliged Bless you!”

After his meeting it was the church that he went to

He walked the streets watching people come and go

Sharing smiles and hello’s as they hurried to and fro

Scrooge found that everything could yield him pleasure

A simple walk gave him happiness beyond measure

 

SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) – STAVE 5 – THE END OF IT – Verses 3 to 5

 

A POEM by Paul Curtis, BASED ON THE STORY by

Charles Dickens “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

 

VERSE 3 – CALLING ON A NEPHEW

 

In the afternoon he turned his steps in another direction

Towards his nephew's house to accept his invitation

He passed the door a dozen times before his visit

When he found the courage he made a dash at it

He asked the girl “Is your master at home, my dear?”

“Yes, sir.” She replied in a voice polite and clear

“Where is he, my love?” He said with some finesse.

“He's in the dining-room, along with my mistress

I'll show you up-stairs, if you please.” The girl said

“Thank you. He knows me, he’s my nephew Fred”

Scrooge said, his hand already on the dining-room lock.

“I'll go in here, my dear.” He entered without a knock

He sidled his face in, round the door silent and supple

Fred and his young wife were looking at the laden table

The table was spread in great array for the festivities

And the young housekeeper doubtful about her abilities

“Fred!” said Ebeneezer Scrooge a little fainthearted.

Dear heart alive, how his niece by marriage started.

Scrooge forgot about her sitting in the quiet corner

With footstool, or he would not have startled her

“Why bless my soul!” cried Fred, “Who's that there?”

“It's I. Your Uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner.

Does the invitation hold? Will you let me in, Fred?”

“Let you in? I couldn’t be happier,” the nephew said 

When uncle and wife were introduced Scrooge hesitated

And said “May god forgive me for the years I’ve wasted”

Let him in indeed Fred could not have been happier

He was at home nothing could have been heartier

Scrooge saw that his niece looked just the same.

So did Topper and the plump sister when they came

There was wonderful happiness and much partying.

But he was early at his counting house next morning.

 

VERSE 4 – BACK TO THE COUNTING HOUSE

 

Oh he was early there. If he could only be there first

And catch Bob Cratchit come late! And see him cursed

That was the thing Scrooge had set his heart upon

And so he did and he sat and saw nine o’clock gone

The clock struck nine. No Bob. A quarter past. No Bob.

It was undoubtedly so that he was tardy for his job

He was full eighteen minutes behind his usual time

Bob knew that to Scrooge it was a cardinal crime

Bob’s hat was off even before he opened the door

His comforter too was taken off his neck before

Scrooge sat with his door wide open, so he might see

As Bob Cratchit crept in toward his desk silently

He was on his stool in a jiffy and picked up his pen

An accustomed voice growled “What time is this then?”

“What do you mean by coming here this time of day?”

Bob’s heart sank as he thought he was about to pay

“I am behind my time,” said Bob “I'm very sorry, sir”

“You are” observed Scrooge. “Yes. I think you are.

Step this way, if you please Mr. Cratchit” he said

“It's only once a year, sir, It shall not be repeated.

I was making rather merry yesterday, sir.” he pleaded

“Now, I'll tell you what, my friend,” Scrooge said

“I am not going to stand this sort of thing anymore”

He continued, leaping from his stool “And therefore,”

Then he dug Bob in the arm with his finger quite firmly

And said “And therefore I am about to raise your salary.”

Bob trembled, and thought about calling a constable

Then Scrooge smiled and he felt more uncomfortable

“A merry Christmas, Bob,” He smiled and laughed again

He spoke with an earnestness that could not be mistaken

“A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, I fear”

He continued “Than I have given you for many a year.

I'll raise your salary, and assist your struggling family

I am in earnest Bob and I mean to help you honestly

And we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon,

Over a Christmas bowl in the Saracens Head saloon

Make up the fires, and buy another coalscuttle Bob

Before you dot another I, cross another t or any job!”

 

VERSE 5 – THE END OF IT

 

He was better than his word. He did it all and more rather

And to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father.

He became as good a friend, and master, and man

As anyone in any city, town, borough or world can

Some people laughed to see the great alteration in him,

But Scrooge let them laugh, and he little heeded them

He had no further intercourse with any sort of Spirit

It was said if any man alive had the knowledge of it

That scrooge knew very well how to keep Christmas

And may that always be truly said of us, and all of us!

Now our story of Ebeneezer Scrooge’s redemption is done

And as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!