’Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the house
Not a creature was stirring
Cause the power was out.
How could this happen?
How could it be?
The house is all dark,
Even lights on the tree.
The lineman’s asleep
all cozy and warm,
His power apparently
Spared by the storm.
Deep into slumber
But soon to awake,
Cause a tree on the line
Has caused it to break.
The calls swamp the office.
“MY POWER IS OUT!
Get them here quickly,
cause I carry clout.”
The dispatcher calls
With a hint of despair
to tell the lineman
The need for repair.
In three or four hours
The trouble is found:
The road didn’t pass
Where the tree went down.
Out in the snow
They carry their tools
And fix the fault
As they learned in the schools.
They leave the scene
and drive back in the dawn.
The line is now clear
And all power is on.
And now it’s the morning
The kids shout with glee,
Their eyes shining bright
As the lights on the tree.
The lineman is home now
As tired as can be.
The storm has ignored
His Christmas Eve.
He’s not asking for praise
Or for you to applaud,
Cause according to him
It’s just part of the job.
But please just remember
As you pick up the horn
And you call to the office
He may be out in the storm.
With thanks to Gunnar Axelson
Repost from Line Life Foundation