The Nutcracker

On a snowlit Christmas Eve Under firs and candy leaves Clara held the painted key And watched the strangers dance for free Herr Drosselmeier tipped his hat Set the box down, just like that In her hands a soldier split Wooden jaw and silver hip Midnight cracked the parlor glass The little mice came rushing fast One tap, two steps, three more brave Then the floor began to wave Nutcracker, hold the gate Nutcracker, don't be late Sugar crown and sword of pine Lead me through the falling time Nutcracker, hold the gate Nutcracker, don't be late (hold the gate) Take me where the snowflakes sing Past the mouse king, anything Shrunk down small by moonlit spell She rode the waltz where shadows fell Peppermint trees in rows of red Clacked and bowed their sugar heads Then the battlefield came alive Tiny drums and mirrored knives Clara stood with lifted chin And watched the wooden prince begin One brave spark in his dark eye One small hand held to the sky When the mouse king lunged and roared Love became the sharper sword Nutcracker, hold the gate Nutcracker, don't be late Sugar crown and sword of pine Lead me through the falling time Nutcracker, hold the gate Nutcracker, don't be late (hold the gate) Take me where the snowflakes sing Past the mouse king, anything In the kingdom made of sweets Every dream had ticking feet Clara woke, but kept the glow Of that brave little world below Nutcracker, hold the gate Nutcracker, don't be late Sugar crown and sword of pine Lead me through the falling time Nutcracker, hold the gate Nutcracker, don't be late (hold the gate) Take me where the snowflakes sing Past the mouse king, anything Nutcracker, hold the gate Nutcracker, don't be late