I don’t know why either

As I walked out on the streets of Laredo.
As I walked out on Laredo one day,
I spied old Saint Nic’las, wrapped in white linen,
Wrapped in white linen as cold as the clay.

“I can see by your outfit that you are a Santa.”
These words he did say as I boldly walked by.
“Come an’ sit down beside me an’ hear my sad story.
“I’m shaking like jelly an’ I know I must die.”

“It was once in the saddle, I used to go dashing.
“Once in the saddle, I used to go gay.
“First to the rooftop and then down the chimney.
“But I'm shot in the breast and I'm dying today.”

“Get eight flying reindeer to carry my coffin.
“Eight wee elf-maidens to bear up my pall.
“Stack bunches of toys on the top of my coffin.
“Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”