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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CLUB NIGHT by FORD MADOX FORD

First Line: THERE WAS AN OLD MAN HAD A BROKEN HAT
Last Line: "AND WE'LL DANCE ALL THE VILLAGE TO ITS KNEES."
Subject(s): DANCING & DANCERS; GRIEF; LOVE - LOSS OF; MARRIAGE; OLD AGE; SORROW; SADNESS; WEDDINGS; HUSBANDS; WIVES;

THERE was an old man had a broken hat,
He had a crooked leg, an old tame cat,
An old lame horse that cropped along the hedge,
And an old song that set your teeth on edge,
With words like:

"Club night's come; it's time the dance begins.
Up go the lamps, we've all got nimble shins.
One night a year man and wife may dance at ease
And we'll dance all the village to its knees."

This silly old man had a broken heart;
He went a-peddling onions from his cart.
Once years ago, when Club night fell in June,
His new-wed wife went off with a dragoon,
Whilst he sang:

"Club night's come; it's time the dance begins.
Up go the lamps, we've all got nimble shins.
One night a year man and wife may dance at ease
And we'll dance all the village to its knees."



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