 | Rhymes with reason and without |  |
40
WHAT WAS IT ALL ABOUT?
WRITTEN IN REFERENCE TO THE GREAT RAILROAD JUBILEE OF 1851
The City of Boston “gin a treat,”
And folks came far and near to see,
And all who had the good luck to see 't
In praise thereof did loudly agree,
And said that for splendor it could n't be beat,
'Cause everything was given 'em free.
And folks came far and near to see,
And all who had the good luck to see 't
In praise thereof did loudly agree,
And said that for splendor it could n't be beat,
'Cause everything was given 'em free.
President and Governors all were there,
And Elgin's lord, and the Lord knows who,
And mighty men from everywhere,
With some that were n't so mighty, too;
And ladies rich and ladies fair
Looked smilingly on, as they always do.
And Elgin's lord, and the Lord knows who,
And mighty men from everywhere,
With some that were n't so mighty, too;
And ladies rich and ladies fair
Looked smilingly on, as they always do.
And steamers, with streamers all afloat,
Gallantly ploughed Massachusetts Bay,
That strangers might have a chance to note,
By a look at the water, just how the land lay;
But the salt in the air parched every throat,—
That water would n't relieve, they say.
Gallantly ploughed Massachusetts Bay,
That strangers might have a chance to note,
By a look at the water, just how the land lay;
But the salt in the air parched every throat,—
That water would n't relieve, they say.
But on board there luckily chanced to be
Whole baskets full of the “Newark brand,”
And, though obnoxious to those like me,
The corks popped briskly on every hand;
It was a most spirited sight to see,
That the shoreman rarely views on land.
Whole baskets full of the “Newark brand,”
And, though obnoxious to those like me,
The corks popped briskly on every hand;
41
That the shoreman rarely views on land.
The streets with bunting were gayly spread,
They colors of every kind did don;
It needed a head extensively read
All their significance to con;
But some sagaciously winked, and said
That Boston was putting her flannels on.
They colors of every kind did don;
It needed a head extensively read
All their significance to con;
But some sagaciously winked, and said
That Boston was putting her flannels on.
And the people made a stir in the fun,
And had “the Trades” all a-marching out,
With banners and mottoes, every one,
And workmen a-working, with muscles stout;
Though we question if many a mother's son
Could tell what the hubbub was all about.
And had “the Trades” all a-marching out,
With banners and mottoes, every one,
And workmen a-working, with muscles stout;
Though we question if many a mother's son
Could tell what the hubbub was all about.
And marshals and aids, upon coursers gay,
“And constables with painted poles,”
And soldiers, ready for warlike fray,
All candidates for immortal scrolls,
Swelled up the pageant which graced the day,
But what 't was for did n't vex their souls.
“And constables with painted poles,”
And soldiers, ready for warlike fray,
All candidates for immortal scrolls,
Swelled up the pageant which graced the day,
But what 't was for did n't vex their souls.
Men met to feast, and the speakers spoke;
O, long and loud did the spouters spout!
And many a jibe and many a joke
Did the “grand occasion” worry out;
There was much of fire, but more of smoke,
But few knew what it was all about.
O, long and loud did the spouters spout!
And many a jibe and many a joke
Did the “grand occasion” worry out;
There was much of fire, but more of smoke,
But few knew what it was all about.
42
Well, the City of Boston “gin a treat,”
And the people relished the noise and rout,
Their voices were heard in every street,
Hurraing loudly with lungs most stout;
But we guess, of all who were there to see 't,
Very few knew what 't was all about.
And the people relished the noise and rout,
Their voices were heard in every street,
Hurraing loudly with lungs most stout;
But we guess, of all who were there to see 't,
Very few knew what 't was all about.
| Rhymes with reason and without | |