Shivaree

Swing your lady with a fiddle-diddle-dee,

A-stomping in the Summer-time, a-stomping in the Fall.

Turn about your lady like a honeysuckle bee

A-flipping in a kettle-pot of huckleberry tea.

(Ethan, Ethan, where are you going

Alone away from the shivaree?

I'm going to find where the West wind's blowing,

And maybe a place for me.)

Fling about, swing about, wing about the hall

Like a little loco bronco hoss a-bucking in a stall.

In again, spin again, chuck her on the chin again,

And promenade your partner with a do-ce-do.

(William, William, why are you brooding

Here in the hall of your shivaree?

I've seen my brother ride by in the moonlight

Without a word to me.)

Allemand left and allemand right,

And take another partner for a whirl around the floor.

Reverse!

Prance all day and dance all night,

And steal a little kiss again and come again for more.

(Melinda, Melinda, why are you crying,

All in white as a bride should be?

T've seen my lover ride by in the moonlight

Without a word to me.)

Now kick your heels and go to town

Like a hornet-bitten burro in a gingham gown.

High and down and up and low,

And promenade your partner with a do-ce-do. . ..

James Facos

THE SEA FAIR

The wave comes in with lights like carnivals,

And tents itself upon the yellow floor,

Astonishing the bay with animals,