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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 pass forward and back, cross to other side,
partners passing 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 pass 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.
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)
Butterflies of snow.
Silently and slowly (9)
Through the winter hours,
Falling so sadly, (10)
Hiding grass 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)_
* * * * *
=Christmas Stories.=
By LETTIE STERLING.
(These stories may be said and done in concert, or each little
child may give one verse by himself.
_a_. Hands held straight up so tips of fingers point toward
ceiling.
_b_. Touch palm of hand with thumb, bring it back quickly.
_c, d, e, f_. Repeat _b_ with 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th fingers.
_g_. Double the hand up.
_h_. Place the doubled-up hand on the back of the other.
_i_. Lift thumb and hold it up.
_j_. Lift 1st finger.
_k_. Lift 2d finger.
_l_. Lift 3d finger.
_m_. Lift 4th finger.
_n_. Hold hands in a listless way, with tips of fingers
pointing toward floor for two first lines, and let the fingers
gently swing. Near the close of the verse make the fingers
still and rigid and hold them close together.
_o_. Have hands doubled up and held so that the child's eyes
can look down upon the palm or the hand and see the nails of
the four fingers--thumb out of sight.
_p_. Let fingers fly up quickly
_q_. Hold left hand as in _a_. Use the index finger of the
right hand as a match, scratching it on the palm of the left
hand and lighting the tips of each finger as if the fingers
were candles.
_r_. Make a circle of a thumb and index finger of the right
hand and slip it on and off each finger on the left hand.
_s_. Bunch fingers of left hand together so they can all touch
the tips of the thumb and form an opening for the window.
_t_. Bring the fingers of the right hand near and let them be
boys and girls peeping in.
_u_. Double up hands, but instead of having thumb inside, let
it stand straight up to be a tower.
_v_. Snap the fingers of one hand, then of the other.
_w_. Point far away with index finger.
_x_. Point toward an imaginary star.
_y_. Hold up the three middle fingers.)
Chimneys standing in a row, _(a)_
Down each one will Santa go.
He goes down one, comes back alive, _(b)_
And then tries two, _(c)_ three, _(d)_ four, _(e)_ and five. _(f)_
Santa has a wondrous pack, _(g)_
This he carries on his back; _(h)_
From it he takes candies, _(i)_ drums, _(j)_
Dolls, _(k)_ books, _(l)_ trumpets, _(m)_ when he comes.
Near the chimney stockings swing,
What to them will Santa bring?
All of them I'm sure he'll fill,
Make them round and stiff and still. _(n)_
Morning kisses curly heads
Lying snugly in their beds, _(o)_
O how quickly they hop out, _(p)_
Seizing stockings with a shout!
On the hemlock and the pine,
Light the candles, make them shine; _(q)_
String the rows of corn so white _(r)_
'Mong the gifts and tinsels bright.
Storemen's windows all look gay,
'Cause it's near to Christmas day. _(s)_
Come and look in, girls and boys, _(t)_
Get a peep at Christmas joys.
In high towers out of sight
Great bells ring with all their might; _(u)_
Hear one, then another chime, _(v)_
Telling it is Christmas time.
In the distance, look afar, _(w)_
With their eyes upon the star, _(x)_
Come on camels wise men three, _(y)_
They the Christmas King shall see.
* * * * *
=Christmas Pictures.=
(This set of pictures is suggested by Mrs. Kate Douglas
Wiggin's story of "The Birds' Christmas Carol," published by
Houghton, Mifflin & Company, Boston, Mass. Each picture should
be preceded by descriptions from the book; these are indicated
by the number of the page in the volume.
DIRECTIONS.--A good reader must be chosen, who can bring
out the light and shade in the story--one who can make the
listeners feel the pathos of Carol's brief, helpful existence
and the contrasting homely humor of "the Ruggleses in the
rear." A reading-desk and lamp must stand below the platform,
and the audience-room be left in darkness. The reader will
give the signal for the opening and closing of the curtains,
pausing long enough for a full recognition of the scene. As
a repetition of a tableau is often more successful than
its initial effort, the performers should be on the alert,
prepared to give a second view.
The characters in the story call for six young people to
represent Mr. Bird, Mrs. Bird, the Grandmother, Physician,
Mrs. Ruggles, and Uncle Jack, and fourteen children to take
the parts of Donald, Hugh, Paul, Carol, Sarah Maud, Peoria,
Cornelius, Elly, Kitty, Peter, Clem, Larry, Susan, and the boy
singer.
The first hymn, "Carol, Brothers, Carol," is to be sung
behind the curtains, just before they are drawn for the second
picture. A harp, violin, and triangle would assist the piano
in making an orchestral effect. A solo voice supplies the
closing air, "My Ain Countree." The piano may be played very
softly whenever the reader pauses and the tableaux are shown.
It is important that the arrangements for each scene be made
in absolute quietness, with systematic forethought, else
the attention of the listeners will be distracted from the
reading.
If a Christmas tree for the entire school is to close the
entertainment, it should be in readiness at the rear of the
platform, concealed by a curtain. In the sixth picture the
tree appears, to illustrate the story, and remains lighted
through the evening.)
FIRST PICTURE.
"They were consulting about it in the nursery." (Page 1 in "The Birds'
Christmas Carol.")
In this scene the children's belongings are scattered about: small
chairs, a cradle, toys, and picture-books. Mr. Bird stands in the
center of the platform holding a large doll dressed in infant's robes.
Grandma is seated near, and Uncle Jack, Donald, Paul, and Hugh are
discussing a name for the baby. The Christmas hymn is heard after the
curtains are drawn and before the
SECOND PICTURE.
"A famous physician had visited them." (Page 12.)
Mr. and Mrs. Bird and the doctor are seated around a library-table in
earnest conference.
THIRD PICTURE.
Carol's "Circulating Library." (Page 16.)
Carol is lying in an easy-chair beside a case filled with books. The
description of her room should be carried out on the stage as far as
practicable.
FOURTH PICTURE.
"The children took their places." (Page 36.)
The nine Ruggles children are seated in a row facing the audience.
Mrs. Ruggles stands before them, giving instructions about their
behavior at Carol's dinner party. The costumes must be fantastic,
following the description in the story--green glass breastpin, the
purple necktie, and much-braided hair.
FIFTH PICTURE.
"The feast being over," etc. (Page 35.)
Carol's room is shown again. The Ruggles children are seated around
Carol, with Mr. Bird and Mrs. Bird and Uncle Jack in the background.
SIXTH PICTURE.
"There stood the brilliantly lighted tree." (Page 55.)
The same characters that appeared in the preceding scene are shown in
attitudes of delight and astonishment as the second curtain is drawn
aside to show the Christmas tree.
SEVENTH PICTURE.
"Softly, Uncle Jack." (Page 63.)
The library is shown again. Mr. and Mrs. Bird, Uncle Jack, Donald,
Hugh, and Paul are grouped as if listening attentively. At the right
of the platform a leaded-window effect is made with a slender wood
frame covered with black gauze. Behind this stands a small boy in
choir vestments, holding a music book and singing "My Ain Countree" to
organ accompaniment.
* * * * *
=The Brownie Men.=
By M. NORA BOYLAN.
(An exercise for four little boys. They wear padded trousers
of some cheap brown material and a loose shirt of same
material in place of the school jacket. Skull-caps of same
material, worn jauntily. Broad white rings about the eyes and
charcoal lines upon face to produce resemblance to pictured
Brownies. Jolly smiles and capers. Join hands and hop on
one foot around tree or leader, before, between, and after
verses.)
Merry, merry sprites are we,
Dancing round the Christmas tree.
We've a gift for every one
Though the last one is just done.
This has been a busy year,
And we hope we bring you cheer,
And when Christmas comes again,
Look for us--The Brownie men.
* * * * *
=Winter's Children.=
By J.D. MOORE.
(The children should wear some indication of the several
characters they impersonate. Most elaborate and beautiful
costumes might be used, but the simple device of a placard
upon each child's breast bearing the name of his part will
answer the purpose.)
_Wind_: I come from the cold and stormy North,
With a rush and a roar I hurry forth,
I toss from the trees the dead leaves down,
The withered leaves all sere and brown,
And sway the branches to and fro
As on my way I whirling go.
At crack and crevice I slip in,
And make a lively sounding din.
Swift I come and swift away,
With you I can no longer stay,
For I am wanted elsewhere now,
And so good-bye, I make my bow.
_Frost (taking Wind's hand)_:
Hand in hand we ever go
Through the season to and fro.
I breathe upon the streams. They cease
Their murmurings and are at peace.
Upon each window pane I trace
The finest filmy glistening lace.
Each boy and girl, 'tis plain to see,
Hath still a welcome kind for me.
For on the lake they whirl and wheel,
You hear the click of polished steel
As swift upon their skates they fly
With joyous heart and flashing eye.
My breath blows cold. Health, joy, delight,
Follow my silvery sparkles bright.
Now Snow, who is my guardian sweet,
Will all my young friends fondly greet.
_Snow (a little girl)_:
Over the earth so bare and brown
I spread a robe as soft as down.
Drifting, drifting down through space,
Hiding each unsightly place,
Touched to shimmering radiance bright,
In the moonbeam's mellow light,
By my brother Frost, for we (_they join hands_)
Both go hand in hand, you see.
North Wind goes gaily with us both,
To help us he is nothing loath.
And he and Frost and Rain combine
To give what in the clear sunshine
Shimmers sparkling--pure and nice,
Transparent, white, and glistening Ice.
_Ice_: I cling to lofty gables, I rustle 'mid the snow,
I weave a gleaming covering
For lakes and streams. They know
That all must cease their murmuring
When Frost and I appear,
For we will hold them firm and fast
As long as we are here.
Gleaming, glistening, sparkling,
Yet pure and clear and bright.
You'll find me 'neath a silver moon,
Each crisp, fresh winter night.
(_Enter Old Winter_)
_Winter_: What, ho! my children, here I am,
I've sought you everywhere.
And now to busy work away,
For you must all prepare
To do your duty while I hold
In check your enemy,
The great round sun, whose rays with you.
My children, disagree.
Now up, away! Wind, to the west
And come again in glee;
And join with Frost and Snow and Ice,
In one grand jubilee.
And paint the cheeks with roses
Of all these children who,
Right joyously will run and shout,
_My_ children dear, with you.
Away! to work, you must not shirk
Your duties, dears; and now,
To these, your firmest friends, make each
Your most engaging bow.
(_All bow and retire Old Winter following_.)
* * * * *
=Santa Claus.=
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