Page:A Selection of Original Songs, Scraps, Etc., by Ned Farmer (3rd ed.).djvu/145



old fashioned times, when the old fashioned folk,
 * With their friends and relations around,

Would welcome old Christmas with dance, song, and joke,
 * And the fiddle's good old fashioned sound.

The old paneled parlour was put in request,
 * The holly and ivy were there;

And neighbour met neighbour, decked out in their best,
 * To partake of the old fashioned fare.

No cards were then printed, with formal invite,
 * Nor pink scented paper, with some

Expression of or  delight;
 * They asked you, and meant you to come.

Then the old fashioned shake of the hand which they gave,
 * With the welcome that shone in their smile,

And the honest "how are you? I hope you are brave,"
 * For was the old fashioned style!

While the old-fashioned country dance would enlist
 * The young to enjoy its delight,

The old folks sat down to a rubber at whist,
 * And so passed the old Christmas night.

The mistletoe bough to the ceiling was hung,
 * Old excuse for the innocent kiss,

Nor Prudery's self would pronounce it as wrong
 * On a joyous occasion like this.