Twas the Night Before Christmas...
A seasonal poem for Packers fans everywhere.
By TimBackes
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ Green Bay,
Every Cheesehead was dreaming of Super Sunday.
The trophies were shined up at Lambeau with care
As soon a Lombardi would be added there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While dreams of confetti danced in their heads.
And I as a Packer fan brimming with passion,
Was watching highlights with a brandy old fashioned
When out on the lawn I heard a loud yelling
I “oped” and wondered who was at my dwelling.
Away past the beer fridge I flew like a flash
And opened the door with a half-drunken crash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Reminded me of a night game at Lambeau
When, what to my green and gold eyes stood nigh
But a guy in a trenchcoat, fedora and tie.
With a loud, raspy bark that could make grown men wince
I knew in a moment it must be St. Vince.
More rapid than Beebe his players they came
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name
“Now Taylor! Now Bart! Now Nitschke and Hornung;
On Caffey, on Gregg, on Ringo and Jordan!
To daylight we run, to the south endzone wall,
Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!”
As Lions fans before a Green Bay game shudder
So shook I to hear the words Vincent uttered
And the men, they responded with words that were muddled
As over and over and over they huddled
Vince had them pursuing the goal of perfection
With excellence earned from each playbook dissection
As I drew in my breath and took in the scrimmage,
At my side appeared a Hall of Fame image
He was dressed for the cold, a man used to the air
Of crisp Green Bay winter games facing the Bears.
A playbook he had with a pencil in hand
And a look on his face of unyielding demand
But his eyes–how they twinkled, and despite his demeanor
The old coach had never to me seemed serener.
Each new play called and each repetition
Further pleased Lombardi’s apparition
The players continued their relentless work
As Vince gave a yell and a clap and a smirk.
The vision was clear as a game on TV
And breathless I watched as he turned to me
He stared through me like I was one of his men
Then called in the group to huddle again
He spoke not a word, but brought me to Starr
Who gave me the ball and a pat on the arm
Before I could give any sort of reply
The men looked toward Lombardi, then up at the sky
And suddenly then the group began to fade
Except for the ball, which in my arms stayed
But I heard Vince exclaim, ere they vanished from sight
Happy Christmas to all, now show Lambeau our might!
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Tim Backes is a lifelong Packer fan and a contributor to CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter @timbackes for his Packer takes, random musings and Untappd beer check-ins.
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Comments (15)
Turophile
December 24, 2021 at 06:16 pm
I want to shoot anyone who uses the word 'Twas' at Christmas time.............. in the head........twice, just to make sure. Then I want to dump the body in a rocket and (cue music) 'set the controls for the heart of the sun' and wave goodbye.
Hmm, maybe I'm playing too much Starcraft.
TimBackes
December 24, 2021 at 08:26 pm
‘‘Twas not in the spirit of Christmas to leave such a cranky comment.
Turophile
December 25, 2021 at 05:03 am
It was pure doggerel, but that doesn't really signify (see, I've downgraded from violence to mere insults, the Christmas spirit must be working it's insidious spell on me).
Very good picture of Vince's statue in the snow, though. That choice excuses a lot.
dblbogey
December 24, 2021 at 08:49 pm
Who knew scrooge was a Packers fan?
Houndog
December 25, 2021 at 07:15 am
Twas a nice poem Tim, congrats, and a Merry Christmas to everyone.
Turophile; You know, you still have time to 'Edit' that post and look like only half the fool you do now.
Johnblood27
December 24, 2021 at 10:46 pm
Merry Christmas Tim, Thanks for your poem and work throughout the year!
GPG!
...and on Christmas day the Pack blows the Browns away...
CWolf
December 24, 2021 at 11:59 pm
That made me smile. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
NickPerry
December 25, 2021 at 05:53 am
That was awesome Tim, very creative. Merry Christmas Tim, Al, and EVERYONE who contributes here on CHTV. From the writers to my fellow commenters, I appreciate all of you. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!
Crankbait
December 25, 2021 at 05:54 am
Merry Christmas !
Hematite
December 25, 2021 at 06:01 am
Merry Christmas to all from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan🤗
JerseyAl
December 25, 2021 at 08:41 am
Fantastic! Merry Christmas!
Turophile
December 25, 2021 at 11:19 am
Merry Christmas to ALL the CHTV staff (even those I'm rude to), and a Happy New Year to you all.
LeotisHarris
December 25, 2021 at 08:42 am
Merry Christmas, Tim.
If Turophile finds out Steve Miller made a ton of money rhyming "Texas" with "facts is" and "justice" with "taxes", he's going to blow a gasket.
Turophile
December 25, 2021 at 11:16 am
Noooooo !
PS you must be the Gangster of Love.............or is it Maurice.
PeteK
December 25, 2021 at 11:41 am
Great job, Merry Christmas!!!