[stylist] syntax question

[Jennifer Applegate]

Hello all,

The only sentence order that seems backwards in this poem is the question
Santa asks Rudolph. I'm wondering why there is so much normal syntax
(subject, verb, object sentence order) in this poem, which is supposed to be
classic (written in 1939).

 

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
had a very shiny nose. 

And if you ever saw him 
you would even say it glows. 

All of the other reindeer
used to laugh and call him names. 
They never let poor Rudolph
join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say:
"Rudolph with your nose so bright,
won't you guide (my sleigh tonight?"

Then all the reindeer loved him
as they shouted out with glee,
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,
you'll go down in history!