Song of the Dance

(This is sung to a tune almost identical with “The Little Brown Jug”)

The rain is falling, falling fast,
So swift it rushes down apace,
“Shush-shush,” it sounds in channel’s race.

“Who’s going to take me home to-night?”

The Cossack who’s been drinking deep
Sees at the dance a lady smile.
“O fair one, stay a little while
And I will see you home to-night.”

“I beg you not to take me home
Because my husband is a bear!
He’d beat me when I entered there,
If you should see me home to-night.”

The music makes a noise like rain.
The fiddlers play, the drum booms on—
The Cossack waits—she has not gone—
All know he’ll take her home to-night!