  Grandma told me all about it; Told me so I couldn’t doubt it, How she danced--my grandma danced-- Long ago. How she held her pretty head, How her dainty skirt she spread, How she turned her little toes[1], Smiling little human rose! Long ago. Grandma’s hair was bright and sunny, Dimpled cheek, too--ah, how funny! Really, quite a pretty girl, Long ago. Bless her! Why, she wears a cap, Grandma does, and takes a nap Every single day; and yet Grandma danced a minuet, Long ago. Always knitting grandpa’s stocking[2] (Every girl was taught to knit Long ago); Yet her figure is so neat, I can almost see her now Bending to her partner’s bow[3] Long ago. Grandma says our modern jumping, Hopping, rushing, whirling, bumping, Would have shocked the gentlefolk Long ago. No--they moved with stately grace, Everything in proper place; Gliding slowly forward, then Slowly courtesying back again[4] Long ago. Modern ways are quite alarming, Grandma says; but boys were charming-- Girls and boys, I mean, of course-- Long ago. Bravely modest, grandly shy-- What if all of us should try Just to feel like those who met In their graceful minuet, Long ago? Who could fly into a passion? All would wear the calm they wore Long ago. In time to come, if I perchance Should tell my grandchild of our dance I should really like to say: “We did, dear, in some such way Long ago.” MOVING TABLEAUX WITH PIANO OBLIGATO. (Specially arranged for Preston Library.) The music continues through the entire reading and should be very soft, player and piano may be hidden. A child eight or ten years old will often be found who can take the part gracefully and keep time to the music, but if not, get a young lady--as the beauty of the tableaux depends largely upon the dancing. The dress should be white and simple. The Grandmother sits in the background, in ordinary makeup for old lady. The words suggest the appropriate tableaux at the places indicated. |
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