Said old Gentleman Gay, "On a Thanksgiving Day,
If you want a good time, then give something away."
So he sent a fat turkey to Shoemaker Price,
And the shoemaker said, "What a big bird! How nice!
And, since a good dinner's before me, I ought
To give poor Widow Lee the small chicken I bought."
'This fine chicken, oh see!" said the pleased Widow Lee,
"And the kindness that sent it, how precious to me!
I would like to make someone as happy as I---
I'll give Washwoman Biddy my big pumpkin pie."
"And oh, sure!" Biddy said, "'Tis the queen of all pies!
Just to look at its yellow face gladdens my eyes!
Now it's my turn, I think, and a sweet ginger cake
For the motherless Finnigan children I'll bake."
"A sweet cake, all our own! 'Tis too good to be true!"
Said the Finmgan children, Rose, Denny, and Hugh;
"It smells sweet of spice, and we'll carry a slice
To poor little lame Jake, who has nothing that's nice."
"Oh, I thank you, and thank you!" said little lame Jake,
"Oh,. what a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful cake!
And oh, such a big slice! I will save all the crumbs,
And will give 'em to each little sparrow that comes!"
And the sparrows they twittered, as if they would say,
Like old Gentleman Gay, "On a Thanksgiving Day,
If you want a good time, then give something away!"
Ele Nash
Music Director