Autumn Leaf Drill
To be given by any number of children of different ages and sizes; the whole school may take part if desired.
At the back of the stage stretch wire netting the entire way across, and cover completely with pretty sprays of autumn leaves, willow and oak. The children may wear white costumes with artificial leaves red, yellow, brown and green upon them.
[They enter in couples, hold hands high, bow to audience, whirl round, two and two; each takes right hand of partner, whirls round, bows to partner; girls hold out skirts in both hands, skip round partner, arms on hips; repeat, one arm on hip, one over head, join hands, skip again in couples; all pause, sing.]
Tune: “Welcome Sweet Springtime”—Rubinstein.
WELCOME TO AUTUMN
Welcome to autumn, her trumpeters call,
Crimson and yellow, autumn leaves fall;
Welcome to autumn we all gather here,
Singing a farewell song.
Winter is coming, and long will we dream,
While fairy snowflakes fall o’er the flowers;
Winter is coming, he’s frozen each stream,
Still we have happy hours.
Dancing away while the echoes are ringing,
Softly the breezes are joining our singing;
Come, dance away, for bright autumn is here,
It is, as you know, the last ball of the year.
Welcome to autumn, and heed our gay song,
Gayly come dancing out on the green;
Welcome to autumn, we all wish thee long,
Welcome to HALLOWE’EN!
[A Witch enters at the side and taps once as she recites first verse, twice for the next, and so on.]
Witch:
Down the leaves all flutter, oh!
Hallowe’en has come, you know.
[All kneel.]
Witch:
They rise again and flutter ’round,
Tripping lightly o’er the ground.
[All rise and whirl in couples.]
Witch:
Wave about, but softly creep,
Soon the autumn leaves will sleep.
[All wave hands to audience.]
Witch:
Listen, listen, don’t you hear
Jack Frost’s footsteps coming near?
[All hold right hand to ear, listening.]
Witch:
What will you do, when the witch is seen,
Late at night on Hallowe’en?
[All cover faces with hands.]
Witch:
Music’s charms, music’s charms,
Will always silence all alarms.
[The Witch disappears, they all join hands, skip forward and back, repeat song, skip off in couples.]
The drill can be lengthened by introducing any familiar folk dances and songs.