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MICHIGAN FOOD & BEES BY A. D. P. VAN BUREN
In shirt of check and tallowed hair, The fiddler sits in his bullrush chair Like Moses' basket standing there On the brink of the Father Nile. 39
306
PIONEER SOCIETY OF MICHIGAN.
"He feels his fiddle's slender neck, Picks out the notes with thumb and check, And times the tune with nod and beck, And thinks it a weary while.
"All ready! Now he gives the call, Cries, 'Honor to the ladies!' all. The jolly tides of laughter fall And ebb in a happy smile.
" 'Begin!' D-o-w-n goes the1 bow on every string, 'First couple join right hands and swing!' As light as any blue-bird's wing, 'Swing once and half way round. '
"Whirls Mary Martin, all in blue— Calico gown and stockings new, And tinted eyes that tell you true, Dance all to the dancing sound.
"She flits about big Moses Brown, Who holds her hands to keep her down, And thinks her hair a golden crown, And his heart turns over once!
"His cheeks with Mary's breath are wet, It gives a second somerset, He means to win the' maiden yet; Alas for the awkward dunce!
"Now the first pair dance apart, Then 'Forward six!' advance, retreat, Like midgets gay in Sun-beam street, 'Tis Money Musk in busy feet, And the Money Musk by heart!
" 'Three quarters 'round your partner swing, ' 'Across the set!' the rafters ring, And boys and girls have taken wing, And have brought their roses out.
" 'Tis 'Forward six!' with rustic grace, Ah, rarer fun than 'swing to place!' Than golden clouds of old point lace1, They bring the dance about.
"Then clasping hands all—'Right and left!' All swiftly weave the measure deft Across the room in loving weft, And the Money Musk is done.
"Oh, dancers of the rustling busk. Good-night, sweethearts, 'tis growin' dusk, Good-night for aye to Money Musk, For the heavy march begun. "
Michigan
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