Are you hanging up a stocking on your wall? / It's the time that every Santa has a ball / Does he ride a red-nosed reindeer? / Does a ton up on his sleigh / Do the fairies keep him sober for a day?

The latter power, incidentally, will no doubt be welcome over at the Bank of England which has nurtured the infant City watchpuppy with a very sizable unsecured overdraft and will be looking forward to the first tranche of repayment.

Softly, softly, catchee monkey, I thought to myself....slow and sure was the way with a woman like this.

Nevertheless, you must know (if I am to speak honestly to you) that I do not repent me those dallyings in enchanted fields.