THE PICKANINNY’S CHRISTMAS.
For Three Boys. More Can be Added at Pleasure.
Directions at close.
Tune: “Dixie’s Land.”
Oh, Chris’mas sho’ly am a-comin’,
Don’ you hear the banjos tummin? (Imitates banjo.)
“Chris’mas gif’,” “Chris’mas gif’,” “Chris’mas gif’,”
Dat’s de way.
All de w’ite folks gib us cake an’ candy,
Any ole ’ting what comes mos’ handy
When we call “Chris’mas gif’,” “Chris’mas gif’,”
On dis day.
Oh, I’m glad ’tis merry Christmas,
Ain’ I glad? Ain’ I glad?
Oh, I’m glad ’tis Chris’mas, merry Chris’mas
Wid its gif’s and holly berry,
Ain’ I glad? Ain’ I glad?
I’m glad ’tis merry Chris’mas!
Ain’ I glad? Ain’ I glad?
I’m glad ’tis merry Chris’mas.
Oh, won’t we hab de shoat an’ possum
Fixed up fine wid fruit and blossom.
Chris’mas gif’, Chris’mas gif’, Chris’mas gif’,
Dat’s de way.
An’ de Chris’mas gif’s make a mighty showin’
Sho’s you’re bawn, ef you’se only knowin’
How to call “Chris’mas gif’,” “Chris’mas gif’,”
Dat-a-way.
CHORUS.
Oh, I’m glad, etc.
DIRECTIONS.
If there are three who take part in this, one boy can sing the song and the others join in the chorus, or all can sing the entire song together. Let the one who sings the verses stand between the other two. If there are more let the leader, who sings, stand before the others, who form a straight line from right to left behind him. All face the audience. During the stanzas they clap gently, keeping time as the leader sings.
At the chorus, while singing, they put their arms across each other’s shoulders, the end ones with outer hands on hips, and take the following steps:
1. Step three steps to the right, hop on right foot, and swing the left foot before the right.
2. At accented measures (corresponding to “hurray, hurray”) stamp in time first with left, then with right foot.
3. Three steps to left, hop on left foot and swing right foot before the other.
4. Three steps to front (starting with right foot), hop on right foot, swing left before the other.
5. Stamp in time, first with left foot, then with right, then hop on left foot and swing the right in front of the left, then hop on right foot and swing the left foot in front of the right.
6. Stamp with right foot, then with left; hop on left foot, swing right; hop on right foot, swing left.
This completes the first stanza and chorus. Then, without singing, and in time to the same tune, let the line behind, led by the leader in front, give a dance. The motions are given below, but the time of them must be found as the boys practice.
It is called a “dance,” but in reality is posturing and stepping. Any other motions than those given can be used if desired, the only requirement being that those in the line move in unison.
If the leader can do so, let him elaborate upon the motions, dance a clog dance or a shuffle; or let him attitudinize in any absurd way. At the close let him come to position, clapping in time as the second stanza is sung, stepping as before at the chorus, and repeat the dance afterward.
DANCE.
1. All turn to right, the first boy with hands on hips, the others with hands on the shoulders of the one in front. Hop on right foot, throw left foot high, hop on left foot, throw right foot high. This takes four measures and carries them four steps toward the left of the stage.
2. This starts at the words (or where they would be if sung) “Chris’mas gif’,” etc. Each boy, with arms held at full length over head, and hands clasped, whirls entirely around, once for each measure, ending with a stamp of right foot on the last word and a quick wheel toward the right of the stage.
3. Repeat Nos. 1 and 2 toward the right. It is now the chorus.
4. Front face, arms across shoulders; step obliquely to right one step first beat, bend right knee second beat, with body and head bent to right. Second step obliquely to left third beat, bend left knee fourth beat, bend body and head to left. Alternate in this way until eight steps are taken, when the next words would be “Ain’ I glad? Ain’ I glad?” (the second time).
5. Each boy raises arms overhead, clasps his hands together and whirls once for each “Ain’ I glad.” At the words “I’m glad ’tis merry Christmas” he stamps with left foot, whirls as before at the next two repetitions of “Ain’ I glad,” but does not stamp at the last line, only folds his arms and bows, first to right, then to left.
CURTAIN.