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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SHINDIG IN THE COUNTRY, by D. A. ELLSWORTH Last Line: Like the old shin-dig! Subject(s): Country Dances; Dancing & Dancers | |||
SHINDIG in the country, "Git your places all!" Nothin' been doin' Since 'way last fall. Children on the stairway, Fiddler on the box, Caller in the middle, Yelpin' like a fox. "Shanghai, git your Banty — Lordy, but you're tall — Swing'em to their places — An' balance All!" Soon as it is over, Partners for a waltz! Half a dozen couples, Fiddler never halts. Partners for a shottish, Time a little fast, Collars gittin' hottish, Doubt if they'll last. Handkerchiefs inside'em, Nex' is Ladies' Choice — That's the thing that makes a Feller's heart rejoice. "Bluebird in the centre 'n' Seven han's round, Swing'em to their places 'n' Everybody pound! Balance to your Honey, Alaman, I say — Run an' git your Guinny, An' all Chaw Hay! Come ahead, my Lady, That's the proper thing — On to the next, balance All — Cheat or Swing!" Now the older people, Have their set alone; Show young folks some things That they've never known. Gran'pap's carpet slippers Gratin' as they go, Gran'ma doesy-doin' Same as long ago. Young folk all a-gigglin', Children snickerin', too; Gran'pap cuts the pigeon-wing, Sorry when they're through! Supper now is ready, Coffee float a stone, Ham and bread an' butter, Best you've ever known. Punkin pie and pickles, Jelly cake in layers — Nothin' any better'n Country bill-o'-fares. Cider jug a passin', Kind o' bitey, too — Candy hearts, with somethin' Like, "I Love You!" Now for "Old Dan Tucker," Young an' old an' small, Everybody singin', Dancin' one an' all. Gran'pap with a youngin, Gran'ma with one, too; Everybody cuttin' up — Monkey shinin' you! Then a waltz an' shottish, Polka, toe-an'-heel, One more just to close with — Ole Virginny reel! Drivin' home a-flyin', Singin' as they go; Holler to each other — Hear the Roosters Crow! Drivin' past the Parson's, Wonder what he'll say? All be out to meetin', Hear it anyway! Home at last, an' sleepy, Puttin' in the rig — Nothin' in the city Like the Old Shin-dig! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FAMED DANCER DIES OF PHOSPHORUS POISONING by RICHARD HOWARD ROSE AND MURRAY by CONRAD AIKEN A DANCER'S LIFE by DONALD JUSTICE DANCING WITH THE DOG by SUSAN KENNEDY SONG FROM A COUNTRY FAIR by LEONIE ADAMS THE CHILDREN DANCING by LAURENCE BINYON SUMMER WIND by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT THE ANGELUS; HEARD AT THE MISSION DOLORES IN SAN FRANCISCO, 1868 by FRANCIS BRET HARTE |
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