Gene Autry sang of Rudolph, his nose so red and bright
And how he'd guided Santa's sleigh on that foggy night.
Yes, Rudolph was a hero, the way the story goes —
But have you ever stopped to think how Rudolph got that nose?
It all started years ago; that's what the reindeer say.
No matter what the reindeer did, Rudy was always in their way.
He was in the middle of their work, and in their way at play —
But when he crashed their football game his life changed forever that day.
The score was tied, six to six, with only seconds left to go,
When Prancer chose to try to kick a thirty-yard field goal.
Donner was ready with the ball; Prancer's foot was back to kick;
Then suddenly, from nowhere, in Rudolph's nose did stick.
Prancer's foot came flying, so the story goes,
But rather than the football he kicked Rudolph on his nose.
Rudolph's nose began to swell; then it began to glow.
The sky was lit for miles and miles from Rudy's bright red nose.
Many years have now gone past since that fateful day —
Although the swelling is long gone his nose still glows today.
So now you know the story — It wasn't Rudolph who saved the night;
'Cause if it hadn't been for Prancer's foot, Santa would never have made that flight.
........©Woody Woodruff, Dec 1996
-"BB"-
