A PRETTY CENTENARIAN.
(Mr. Bull's Song on Miss Columbia's Hundredth Birthday.)
"The chief authorities of the several States of this Union have resolved to celebrate, on the 15th, 16th, and 17th days of September next, at Philadelphia, the first centennial anniversary of the framing of the Constitution of the United States, with military and industrial displays, and with other suitable ceremonies."—Letter of Invitation to Mr. Gladstone from the Constitutional Centennial Commission.
John Bull. "A Hundred Years Old, my Dear! Who would have thought it! But then you have such a wonderful constitution!"
Air.—"I'm getting a Big Boy now."
You have passed through the troubles of national youth,
(To have safely survived them's a boon,)
You have out your eye-teeth, you look pretty, in truth,
But much the reverse of a "spoon."
We gaze on you fondly, admiringly, dear;
Few traces of age on your brow.
A hundred this year? Then it's perfectly clear
You are getting a great girl now.
Chorus.
You are getting a great girl now,
And you know it, Columbia, I trow.
Philadelphia's "boom"
Leaves for doubt little room
That you're getting a great girl now.
I feel like Papa, who though elderly's fresh,
And with younkers can sympathise still;
You are bone of my bone, you are flesh of my flesh,
And I bear you the warmest good-will.
My centennial dates which have rapidly run,
I have given up counting, somehow;
Like me, you'll be learning life is not all fun,
For you're getting a great girl now.
Chorus.
You are getting a great girl now.
With health and that radiant brow,
One hardly would say
You're a hundred to-day,
Though you're getting a great girl now.
You've gone in for Parties.—my plague, dear, at home;
If anyone's sick of 'em I am,—
Your land is so large you need hardly to roam,
Yet you're known from St. James's to Siam.
We greet you as Cousin, our family throng
Is wide, but you're welcome, I vow.
Come often, stay long, you can hardly do wrong,
Though you're getting a great girl now.
Chorus.
You are getting a great girl now,
The rawness of youth you outgrow.
I am proud of your looks,
Like your art, and your books;
You are getting a great girl now.
To your big birthday party 'twas kind to invite
My William; I'm sure he'd have come
And danced at your ball with the greatest delight,
But for years, and some business at home.
He's really a marvel, you know, for his age;
At your great Philadelphia pow-wow
He'd have reeled you off columns of talk, I'll engage,
Though he's getting an Old Boy now.
Chorus.
He's getting an Old Boy now,
Yet but for our big Irish row,
He'd have come like a shot,
And orated a lot,
Though he's getting an Old Boy now.
Your health, my Columbia! A hundred? Seems queer!
What a sweet Centenarian you make!
I suppose it's your fine "Constitution," my dear;
Which nothing, I hope, will e'er shake.
You have proved you have not only swiftness, but stay;
Well, long may you flourish and grow!
Many happy—and hearty—returns of the Day!
You are getting a great girl now!
Chorus.
You are getting a great girl now;
May you prosper, and keep out of row;
Shun bunkum and bawl,
All that's shoddy and small,
For you're getting a great girl now!