Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MAYPOLE CHORUS, by NEWMAN HOWARD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MAYPOLE CHORUS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The maypole! The maypole!
Last Line: Merrily all the way.
Subject(s): Dancing & Dancers; Flowers; Kisses


THE Maypole! The Maypole!
We're dancing round the Maypole,
And every mettlesome lass shall trip it
Light as a falling leaf.
(Sola) "Let go my girdle, Willie!
And never no more be silly!
Whatever you do, I'll never love you;
For marrying's Dutch for grief."

Semi-chorus, without dancing.

As I was walking down the lane
I heard a cowslip call:
"Your waist has grown so slender, Jane,
Your head so fair and tall,
No longer you stoop to pick me now,
And if Rob should come and say,
'I've plucked the flowers and kissed them!' --
You would toss my blossoms away."

Maypole Chorus.

The Maypole! The Maypole!
We're dancing round the Maypole,
And lads and mettlesome lasses trip it
Light as the dropping rain.
(Solus) "You'll marry me soon, my Fanny?"
(Sola) "No, no! Begone, my manny!
You'll never have money to keep a lass,
So trouble me never again!"

Semi-chorus, without dancing.

As I was walking by the brook
Forget-me-not was there:
He gave me such an impudent look;
He said "You're tall and fair:
Rob plucks and kisses and gives to you
A nosegay of our best:
You throw them away, and come again,
And bury them in your breast!"

(Sola) Now prithee, John, don't tease me;
I swear you do not please me!
Laddie, you never shall kiss me, though
You die for a kiss all day.

Maypole Chorus.

The Maypole! The Maypole!
We're dancing round the Maypole!
And every mettlesome lass shall trip it
Merrily all the way.





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