Christmas Entertainments Part 3

H stands for happy--right happy am I.

With a bow to the right sir, and a bow to the left, sir, If you would be happy some Christmas gifts buy--_Cho_.

_Fourth girl_: R stands for ready--for Christmas be ready; R stands for ready--are _you_ ready yet?

With a courtesy to right, sir, and a courtesy to left, sir.

To make ready for Christmas, oh! never forget.--_Cho_.

_Fifth boy_: I stands for icy--for winter so icy; I stands for icy, when Kris drives along.

With a bow to the right, sir, and a bow to the left, sir, Though icy the weather we'll give him a song.--_Cho_.

_Fifth girl_: S stands for Santa--the children's own Santa; S stands for Santa, the jolly old dear.

With a courtesy to right, sir, and a courtesy to left, sir, For Santy to fill we hang stockings each year.--_Cho_.

_Sixth boy_: T stands for thoughtful--of all friends be thoughtful; T stands for thoughtful--your presents prepare.

With a bow to the right, sir, and a bow to the left, sir, And be thoughtful those poorer than you have a share.--_Cho_.

_Sixth girl_: M stands for magic--for Christmas-night magic; M stands for magic filling stockings and tree.

With a courtesy to right, sir, and a courtesy to left, sir, Who does this fine magic, can any agree?--_Cho_.

_Seventh boy_: A stands for all of us, old and young, all of us; A stands for all of us looking for Kris.

With a bow to the right, sir, and a bow to the left, sir.

And all of us hope that not one will he miss.--_Cho_.

_Seventh girl_: S stands for smiling--on Christmas morn smiling; S stands for smiling--all smiling I'll be.

With a courtesy to right, sir, and a courtesy to left, sir, All smiling, yes, smiling, when presents I see.--_Cho_.

(The following verses are to be sung by the school to the air, "Wait for the Wagon." During the singing of the first stanza and chorus, the fourteen boys and girls divide off into couples and march around, elevating and lowering the wands in time to music. During the second stanza they form two opposite lines, with wands crossed overhead, couples marching under the arches formed and back again to places. Third stanza, the opposite lines pa.s.s forward and back, cross to other side, partners pa.s.sing each other, then back once more, and turn partners into place in a line forming "Merry Christmas"

again.)

Oh, Christmas, merry Christmas!

Thy call we must obey, And carry fadeless garlands In honor of the day.

_Chorus_ (_to be sung after each verse_).-- All hail, merry Christmas!

Hail, merry Christmas!

All hail, merry Christmas, The evergreen day.

Oh, Christmas, merry Christmas!

With laughter, song, and play, How gayly pa.s.s the hours Of that dear, happy day.--_Chorus_.

Oh, Christmas, merry Christmas!

Quite old, but never gray, Like thy own joys, unfading, The wreath we bring to-day.--_Chorus_.

=A Christmas Lullaby.=

(The children are seated in little rocking-chairs, each holding a doll dressed in a long white gown. They rock slowly in time to the music. At first 1. "hushaby" they raise forefinger of right hand, as if to insure silence.

2. Kiss dolls.

3. Very softly.

4. Lay dolls in small cradles, standing near.

5. At "hush" raise forefinger of right hand warningly.

6. Very softly.

7. Rock cradles slowly in time to music, children kneeling on floor.

8. Turn toward audience.

9. Very softly.

The words are adapted to the music of the familiar hymn.

"Silent Night.")

Hushaby, hushaby, (1) Christmas stars are in the sky; Sweet the bells of Christmas eve,-- Babies, each a kiss receive,--(2) Hushaby, good-night, Hushaby, good-night! (3)

Lullaby, lullaby, Babies in their cradles lie; (4) Every one in white is gowned, Hush, make not a single sound! (5) Lullaby, good-night, Lullaby, good-night! (6)

Rockaby, rockaby, Christmas-tide draweth nigh; (7) Quiet now the tiny feet, Babies sleep so still and sweet,-- Sweetest dreams, good-night, (8) Sweetest dreams, good-night! (9)

=Dance of the Snowflakes.=

By ALICE E. ALLEN.

(The words of this motion song are adapted to the chorus of "Dream Faces." The children should be dressed in white gowns, white stockings and slippers, and wear caps made of white tissue paper, trimmed with silver stars.

1. Raise both hands, look up.

2. Move hand slowly back and forth, with floating motion.

3. Lower hands, and motion as if swaying cradle.

4. Drop head slowly to one side, close eyes as if sleeping.

5. While pianist plays last half of song slowly, children take hold of corners of skirts, and with waltz step dance from side to side, still with sleepy look and motion.

6. Stand erect, with eyes wide open.

7. Use forefinger of right hand as if enforcing command.

8. Raise both hands above head, and lower them slowly, with fluttering motion.