Christmas Entertainments Part 4

9. Drop heads, sing very slowly.

10. Shake heads sadly.

11. Look down as if searching for flowers.

12. While pianist plays as in 5 children repeat 5 very slowly, still looking down.

13. Music much faster and brighter. Children look up over right shoulder, as if afraid of being caught.

14. Whir round and round.

15. Bend to right, and then to left.

16. Fall lightly to floor.

17. Spring up with hands upraised.

18. Drop hands, smile.

19 All clasp hands, raise them high above heads, and dance lightly backward and forward.

20. Hold position 19; dance as in 5, only more rapidly.

21. Dejected position, head bent down. Music very slow and sad.

22. Raise and lower right hand slowly.

23. Repeat with left.

24. Music strong and faster. Children raise on tip-toe of right foot, reach forward with motion as looking in window above them on their right.

25. Motion with forefinger of right hand as if counting stockings.

26. With skirts distended dance as in 20, smiling.

27. Right hand raised to ear, as if listening.

28. Shade eyes with right hand and look expectant.

29. Step forward, both hands extended as if in greeting, smiling.

30. Throw kiss to audience.

31. Pianist repeats all of song; children dance as in 26, singing verse beginning "Bright stars are gleaming," and at last "Merry Christmas" throw kiss to audience.)

We lived in cloudland, (1) Floating here and there (2)

Over the mountains And the valleys fair.

Winds swayed our cradles, (3) Then we fell asleep, (4) While far above us Stars their watch did keep. (5)

"Wake," cried the North Wind, (6) "You to earth must go." (7) Down we fell fluttering (8) b.u.t.terflies of snow.

Silently and slowly (9) Through the winter hours, Falling so sadly, (10) Hiding gra.s.s and flowers, (11-12)

Then the wind caught us, (13) Whirled us round and round, (14) Dashed us and drove us, (15) Piled us on the ground (16) Flying up in frolic, (17) Always glad and gay, (18) Dancing and drifting (19) All the stormy day. (20)

Now our play is over, (21) Now the day is done, Falling so sadly, (22) Sadly one by one. (23) Peeping in the windows (24) Where the fires glow, See the children's stockings (25) Hanging in a row. (26)

Hark, in the distance (27) Hear the merry bells!

Santa Claus is coming, (28) Sweet their music tells!

Go we now to greet him, (29) Listen as we call,-- Glad merry Christmas, Merry Christmas all! (30)

Bright stars are gleaming, (31) Christmas cometh soon.

Joy bells are ringing, All in merry tune.

We are Christmas snowflakes, Singing as we fall,-- Glad, merry Christmas, Merry Christmas all!

=Little Snowflakes.=

By ELLA M. POWERS.

(Six primary children may sing these words to the tune, "Tiny Little Snowflakes" in "Golden Robin," with the following finger-play.

_a_. Hands waving up and down, fingers moving rapidly.

_b_. Imitate the waving with hands and heads to right and left.

_c_. Quickly shake head and hands.

_d_. One sweep of hand across the desk.

_e_. Right hand raised as high as head, fist closed.

_f_. Abruptly bring fist down on desk.

_g_. Similar to (a).

_h_. Hands clasped and eyes upturned as if gazing with admiration at the tree.)

We are little snowflakes, _(a)_ Falling gently down, On the fields and mountains In the busy town.

Now the waving _(b)_ spruce trees Shaking _(c)_ gently say, Brush away this light snow, _(d)_ It's nearly Christmas day.

Then a man comes gayly With his axe so bright, _(e)_ He chops down the spruce tree _(f)_ Early one fair night.

Then on Christmas morning Children dance to see, _(g)_ Many lovely presents On that stately tree. _(h)_