Country Nights

It’s nice to go to theerters, an’ concerts in the town,

An’ take in all the side shows, or to wander up an’ down

The pavements where the fakirs are a-sellin’ off their wares,

Or hang around the beaches when the band plays pop’lar airs.

It’s nice, the great excitement, an’ the gay electric lights,

To see the crowds uv people an’ the great an’ wondrous sights;

But down here in the country when the evenin’ settles down,

We hev times jest ez lively ez they hev way off in town.

They’s now an’ then a show comes round an’ opens in the Hall,

A reg’lar city trav’lin’ show with scenery an’ all

The fixin’s which they genly use to make the thing complete,

An’ ev’ry time you’ll find us there right in the frontmost seats.

Then comes the weekly meetin’ nights, when ev’ryone turns out

An' sing the good ol’ fashioned hymns thet mother told about;

Then goin’ home with Mary Jane, an’ Liza, Kate an’ May,

O nights here in the country ain’t so dull ez people say!

Then comes the straw rides, huskin’ bees, an’ on the ol’ barn floor

The dances thet were handed down from good ol’ days uv yore;

Red-cheeked an’ bright-eyed country gals, the fiddler’s lively air,

An’ music, mirth an’ merriment aboundin’ ev’rywhere.

O country nights are good enough, they’re never dull fur me,

With sleigh rides an’ donations, an’ the lively quiltin’ bee;

Fur you the beach an’ theerters, the bands an’ ‘lectric lights

Fur me the quiet joys at home, the good old country nights.

July 20, 1904