The Potatoes’ Dance
(A Poem Game.)
I
“Down cellar,” said the cricket,“Down cellar,” said the cricket,“Down cellar,” said the cricket,“I saw a ball last night,In honor of a lady,In honor of a lady,In honor of a lady,Whose wings were pearly-white.The breath of bitter weather,The breath of bitter weather,The breath of bitter weather,Had smashed the cellar pane.We entertained a drift of leaves,We entertained a drift of leaves,We entertained a drift of leaves,And then of snow and rain.But we were dressed for winter,But we were dressed for winter,But we were dressed for winter,And loved to hear it blowIn honor of the lady,In honor of the lady,In honor of the lady,Who makes potatoes grow,Our guest the Irish lady,The tiny Irish lady,The airy Irish lady,Who makes potatoes grow.
II
“Potatoes were the waiters,Potatoes were the waiters,Potatoes were the waiters,Potatoes were the band,Potatoes were the dancersKicking up the sand,Kicking up the sand,Kicking up the sand,Potatoes were the dancersKicking up the sand.Their legs were old burnt matches,Their legs were old burnt matches,Their legs were old burnt matches,Their arms were just the same.They jigged and whirled and scrambled,Jigged and whirled and scrambled,Jigged and whirled and scrambled,In honor of the dame,The noble Irish ladyWho makes potatoes dance,The witty Irish lady,The saucy Irish lady,The laughing Irish ladyWho makes potatoes prance.
III
“There was just one sweet potato.He was golden brown and slim.The lady loved his dancing,The lady loved his dancing,The lady loved his dancing,She danced all night with him,She danced all night with him.Alas, he wasn’t Irish.So when she flew away,They threw him in the coal-bin,And there he is today,Where they cannot hear his sighsAnd his weeping for the lady,The glorious Irish lady,The beauteous Irish lady,WhoGivesPotatoesEyes.”