Harnett Kane's Southern Christmas Book describes La Guignolee, a New Year visiting custom from French communities in Missouri. We learned this English version, The Rag Dance Song, from George and Gerry Armstrong of Chicago.
|
|
Good evening, master and good mistress
And all the good folk who live here.
We've come to ask for mistletoe
On this last day of the old year.
If you want to say you like us,
Just say so, please feed and wine us,
We only want a pig's ear, then we'll go,
And I wish you a Happy New Year.
If you really want to please us,
Just say so, go fetch your daughter,
We only want to kiss her, then we'll go,
And I wish you a Happy New Year.
If you really want to please us,
Just say so, go grab your rag bag,
We only want a rag dance, then we'll go,
And I wish you a Happy New Year.
|