Manitoba_Rancher
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'Twas the Night Before Christmas
By Const. Mitchell Parker
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.
The stockings were still hung by our chimney with care,
but this year's different, we all won't be there.
My children should be nestled all snug in their beds,
but the visions of that night keep playing over in my head.
Mama's not here, and I'm all on my own,
the tears don't stop, no longer it's a home.
I replay in my mind that sound, such a clatter,
As our car sprang from the road, my God what's the matter?
I heard in the distance, as they flew in a flash,
the fire and ambulance, as they came to our crash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
gave the lustre of midday to objects below.
When, what to my swollen eyes should appear,
but my children and wife as they scream out in fear.
I saw the other driver, so lively but sick,
I knew in a moment that life can change quick.
More rapid than eagles, he came to our car
as he shouted and said sorry, he smelled like a bar.
I'm sorry! I mean it!
I was on my way to the dance, too.
Oh, God, please help me,
What did I do?
To your wife, to you kids,
I ask you please to forgive.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry to all.
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
The angels came down and off they flew,
to heaven I know, it's God's time to be with you.
And then in a twinkle I heard on the roof,
the jaws of life on the car as they cut through.
As I drew in my head and tried turning around,
I couldn't move, I felt I was bound.
I saw God all dressed in white from his head to his toe
and his clothes were all glistening from starlight and snow.
The wings on the backs of my wife and children they grew,
I knew they were now angels and off they all flew.
My eyes how they dropped, as I wheeled into court today,
Happiness no longer; I have no more to say.
My mouth drawn down with awe and fear
as I heard that that man was only sentenced to one year.
I remember my kids when they'd hold on me tight
the smiles how they grew when they knew it was alright.
My wife, how beautiful she was to me,
I'm so sad and I cry; forgiveness, I can't see!
Yeah, he said he was sorry, he said it himself,
I screamed when I heard him, God please forgive myself.
An eye for an eye, I wanted it to be,
I've been sentenced to life; he should be as sad as me.
I spoke not a word, just looked straight in his eyes,
he knew my anguish and pain, it could no longer hide.
I looked to the judge and then to where he should be,
there stood his wife and his child, God, it's another sad family.
As they took him away, I sit there and ponder,
what life would be like, I started to wonder.
It's over, but in my life I must strive,
please hear the words of my angels,
Don't drink and drive!
Const. Mitchell Parker is a RCMP officer in Stonewall. This column, which he says is drawn in part from the painful job he's had to do informing families that their loved ones have been killed by a drunk driver, was originally printed in the Stonewall Argus.
By Const. Mitchell Parker
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.
The stockings were still hung by our chimney with care,
but this year's different, we all won't be there.
My children should be nestled all snug in their beds,
but the visions of that night keep playing over in my head.
Mama's not here, and I'm all on my own,
the tears don't stop, no longer it's a home.
I replay in my mind that sound, such a clatter,
As our car sprang from the road, my God what's the matter?
I heard in the distance, as they flew in a flash,
the fire and ambulance, as they came to our crash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
gave the lustre of midday to objects below.
When, what to my swollen eyes should appear,
but my children and wife as they scream out in fear.
I saw the other driver, so lively but sick,
I knew in a moment that life can change quick.
More rapid than eagles, he came to our car
as he shouted and said sorry, he smelled like a bar.
I'm sorry! I mean it!
I was on my way to the dance, too.
Oh, God, please help me,
What did I do?
To your wife, to you kids,
I ask you please to forgive.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry to all.
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
The angels came down and off they flew,
to heaven I know, it's God's time to be with you.
And then in a twinkle I heard on the roof,
the jaws of life on the car as they cut through.
As I drew in my head and tried turning around,
I couldn't move, I felt I was bound.
I saw God all dressed in white from his head to his toe
and his clothes were all glistening from starlight and snow.
The wings on the backs of my wife and children they grew,
I knew they were now angels and off they all flew.
My eyes how they dropped, as I wheeled into court today,
Happiness no longer; I have no more to say.
My mouth drawn down with awe and fear
as I heard that that man was only sentenced to one year.
I remember my kids when they'd hold on me tight
the smiles how they grew when they knew it was alright.
My wife, how beautiful she was to me,
I'm so sad and I cry; forgiveness, I can't see!
Yeah, he said he was sorry, he said it himself,
I screamed when I heard him, God please forgive myself.
An eye for an eye, I wanted it to be,
I've been sentenced to life; he should be as sad as me.
I spoke not a word, just looked straight in his eyes,
he knew my anguish and pain, it could no longer hide.
I looked to the judge and then to where he should be,
there stood his wife and his child, God, it's another sad family.
As they took him away, I sit there and ponder,
what life would be like, I started to wonder.
It's over, but in my life I must strive,
please hear the words of my angels,
Don't drink and drive!
Const. Mitchell Parker is a RCMP officer in Stonewall. This column, which he says is drawn in part from the painful job he's had to do informing families that their loved ones have been killed by a drunk driver, was originally printed in the Stonewall Argus.
