CHORUS OF CHILDREN.

Observer, Volume 9, Issue 574, 28 December 1889, Page 3

CHORUS OF CHILDREN.

Come twine the wreath of roses And let us dance all round, Let's hear the patter of our feet Upon the flooring 1 sound. Patter, patter, patter ! Whirling all around. There's baby in the centre, With eyes of heavenly blue. Where have you got your blue eyes, Oh tell ua baby true ? Patter, patter, patter ! From every baby shoe. I've got them from a loving friend, He sent them from above, For the sky ib blue and sparkling And is full of baby love. Patter, patter, patter ! Full of baby love. A babe came here from out the blue ; He came that he might bring ' All those who love him to the land Of everlasting spring.' Patter, patter, patter ! Hear the joyous ring. Then twine the wreaths of roses, And let us dance all round. May the little babe of Bethlehem In every home be found. Patter, patter, patter ! Hear the joyous sound.

Zea. : Welcome, beloved guests ! I greet ye here

On this the threshold of another year. The one about to close has been to me The harbinger of new prosperity. Sandy : I'm very glad to hear it, but I doot We hardly ken as yet what we're aboot. The truth as to the Bank, there's no one knows. Harry: It is a Bank whereon the wild thyme grows. Paddy : Cast off the wild thyme, then, and let us see The naked truth. Zea. : Oh, that can never be. The truth must not be known, we must conceal, Adjust, cross enter, and pretend a deal. When things will take a turn, -as turn they must, All will be well. Harry : Before then it may bast. Sandy : Bust ! Nonsense, man. No, tha,t can never be ; To burst requires a lot of energy. In vile abuse it's wasted all its strength, It's now got well nigh to its tether's length. Paddy ; Begor, me boys, its tether's been too long, And if the truth were known, not over strong. The beast's been feeding on a barren soil, Its keeper meanwhile eating up the spoil. Zea. ; It may revive, when in another place They fix the tether and direct the pace. Come, gentlemen, let's drink its better health, With many friends, long life, and teeming wealth. Harry : I don't object, and let bygones be by. Sandy : Weel, if the whisky's quid, I'll ha'e.'a try. Paddy : I'll follow Sandy, for he's following' me, Home Rule he's wanting, I am glad to see. Zea. I'm glad of that, then fill your glasses all ' Here's to the Bank, that it may never fall But stronger grow — get back its money lent And dividends increase to cent per cent.' Harry: 'Ear! 'ear! Zea. : Not here, my friend, but far away Where deeds of darkness find the light of day In London city, where you come from, Harry, And where you say you'd always wish to tarry. And here let me remark, 'tis very strange That you would ever think of such a change, Yet having come out here you scoff and spurn Our glorious land. Why not at once return, And seek your fortunes where your fathers dwelt, Kneeling at Christmas where your fathers knelt ? Paddt: I'd like to see ould Oireland just once move. Sandy : And so should I wild Caledonia's shore. Harry : Giye me Hyde Park or Piccadilly, where A man can Jive and while away dull care, Enjoy a dinner at the Grand Hotel And join a Club in Mayfair or Pall Mall. Zea. : When sve have time to grow, what may we be ? No one can tell. This is our Jubilee ! Paddy : Begor and so it is— What shall it be ? A bumper to New Zealand's Jubilee ? Harry; A bumper full, say I, with three times three. Sandy j With Highland honours and twice three . times three. Z?A f ; _ Anoiber whisky, Pat ? and Sandy too ? v<: •-:.-: Harry,, an English pint of beer *f or.

Habrt: Zealandia! Home of the brave and the free, ■'..' /'• ,- .v.;v" .Fair sister of the South, we -^riuk ib -: thee. ■■".:"'■.■ .'>•-■""' *'■ Kin of our kin, wita chains :of l'6ve ' we're bound; . . Britons, join hands and make a joyful sound ! Zealandia, we drink to thee, On this thy year of Jubilee. PADDy : With a hip, hip, hip hurrah ! Sandy : With a hip, hip, hip, Hurrah .' All : Hip, hip, hurrah ! hurrah !! hurrah !!! Zeal : A thousand thanks, my friends, to one and all — We now must join the children in the - Hall t And hear their merry voices sing with , glee, And merry make, on this our Jubilee. CHOBXTS OF CHILDREN. let us sing Zealandia's praise And with joy our voices raise On this her Jubilee. Loving 1 hearts beat true to thee, Purest gem of southern sea, On this thy Jubilee. And wherever we may roam, We will love our sunny home, Zealandia the free. Heart to heart, and hand in hand, Shout the praises of our land, Zealandia the free.