DUCK DANCE (THE)
I saw a ship a-sailing, a-sailing on the sea;
And oh, it was laden with pretty things for me.
There were comfits in the cabin, and apples in the hold;
The sails were made of silk, and the masts were made of gold.
Four and twenty sailors that sat upon the deck
Were four and twenty white mice with chains about their necks.
The captain was a duck with a packet on his back,
And when the ship began to move the captain cried quack! quack!
The players hold hands and circle rapidly while singing. After the last verse one of the players breaks the circle and with his next neighbor raises his hand high to form an arch, calling "Bid, bid, bid!" which is the call for ducks. The player on the opposite side of the break in the circle proceeds to pass under this arch, the entire circle following, all holding hands and answering "Quack! quack! quack!"
When all have passed through, the two players at the opposite end of the line raise their hands and cry, "Bid, bid, bid!" while the two who first made the arch pass through, drawing the line after them, and calling "Quack! quack! quack!" This passing of the ducks under the gateway is continued during one or two repetitions of the music. The players should repeat "Bid, bid, bid!" and "Quack, quack, quack!" in rhythm during all of this latter part of the play.