Father Christmas: Bravo, Tom Tucker! Be sure you shall have the supper for which you have sung so well. Bless my eyes! Who comes here?Jack and Jill (together):We are Jack and Jill, Father Christmas. And here's a pail for you. It is the one that we had when "Jack fell down and broke his crown, and Jill came tumbling after."(Hands a pail.)Simple Simon (drawling):Simple Simon, I am. I met a pieman going to the fair. Says Simple Simon to the pieman, "Let me taste your fare." Says the pieman to Simple Simon, "Show me first your penny." Says Simple Simon to the pieman, "Indeed, I have not any."Father Christmas: So you did not get the pie? My boy, let it be a lesson to you that in this world nobody can have something for nothing.Polly Flinders (sobbing):I don't look fit to come to a party, Father Christmas, for I burnt my best dress sitting among the cinders. Please excuse me this time, and let me stay, though I have no gift.Father Christmas: Certainly, my dear, certainly.Mother Goose (severely}:You are entirely too indulgent, Father Christmas! Polly Flinders, who sat among the cinders, ought to have stayed at home.(Polly begins to cry.)Father Christmas: Oh, we must overlook her appearance this time, Mother Goose. Christmas is no time for tears. Go back among your brothers and sisters. Polly. Mother Goose and I will let you stay, but don't sit again among the cinders, Polly Flinders!(Sound of singing outside. Children of All Nations enter, waving: flags. At the conclusion of their song they stand in a semi-circle behind Father Christmas and Mother Goose.)
Father Christmas: Bravo, Tom Tucker! Be sure you shall have the supper for which you have sung so well. Bless my eyes! Who comes here?
Jack and Jill (together):We are Jack and Jill, Father Christmas. And here's a pail for you. It is the one that we had when "Jack fell down and broke his crown, and Jill came tumbling after."(Hands a pail.)
Simple Simon (drawling):Simple Simon, I am. I met a pieman going to the fair. Says Simple Simon to the pieman, "Let me taste your fare." Says the pieman to Simple Simon, "Show me first your penny." Says Simple Simon to the pieman, "Indeed, I have not any."
Father Christmas: So you did not get the pie? My boy, let it be a lesson to you that in this world nobody can have something for nothing.
Polly Flinders (sobbing):I don't look fit to come to a party, Father Christmas, for I burnt my best dress sitting among the cinders. Please excuse me this time, and let me stay, though I have no gift.
Father Christmas: Certainly, my dear, certainly.
Mother Goose (severely}:You are entirely too indulgent, Father Christmas! Polly Flinders, who sat among the cinders, ought to have stayed at home.(Polly begins to cry.)
Father Christmas: Oh, we must overlook her appearance this time, Mother Goose. Christmas is no time for tears. Go back among your brothers and sisters. Polly. Mother Goose and I will let you stay, but don't sit again among the cinders, Polly Flinders!
(Sound of singing outside. Children of All Nations enter, waving: flags. At the conclusion of their song they stand in a semi-circle behind Father Christmas and Mother Goose.)
(Pointing to Mother Goose and Father Christmas.)
(Pointing to Mother Goose and Father Christmas.)
(Taking places.)
(Taking places.)
(Enter Thanksgiving, carrying a basket of fruit, and accompanied by her children, Peace and Plenty.)Father Christmas: Why, here's my dear niece Thanksgiving, with her two fine youngsters, Peace and Plenty! Thanksgiving, my dear, permit me to present you to Mother Goose, her son Jack, and all the rest of her family.(Mutual recognitions.}Also, to the Children of All Nations.(Bows.)Thanksgiving:With Peace and with Plenty, my children, I bringTo good Father Christmas our small offering.(Presents basket.)Peace and Plenty (together):Long live Father Christmas and Mother Goose, too!Their fame is world-wide, and their friends not a few.(Thanksgiving, Peace, and Plenty now take places near Father Christmas, while Happy New Year enters, carrying a bunch of keys. She is accompanied by two children, Hope and Good Resolutions.)Father Christmas (rising to greet her): My dear daughter Happy New Year, we are glad to see you, with Hope and Good Resolutions looking so bright and well. Permit me to introduce my guests.(Mutual recognitions.)Happy New Year:With Good Resolutions quite close to my side,And sweet little Hope with me whate'er betide,I bring Father Christmas the bright golden keysThat will open my door '98 with ease.Hope and Good Resolutions (together): Good cheer, Mother Goose! Father Christmas, good cheer! We wish each and all of you happy New Year!(Happy New Year and her children group themselves next to Thanksgiving. Enter Santa Claus, bustling about and shaking hands with everybody while speaking.)Santa Claus:What ho, Father Christmas! What ho, Mother Goose!At last from my Christmas-eve duties I'm loose.Not a stocking from north pole to south but I've filled,Books, candies, and toys by each mantlepiece spilled.My pack is quite empty, my reindeer done out,But on Christmas morning there'll be such a shoutFrom the east to the west, from the south to the north,When their gifts from their stockings the children pull forth,That it's worth all my trouble—that hearty good cheer,"Hurrah! In the night Santa Claus has been here!"But, folks, I am hungry, I freely confess,So on to the dining-room now I will press.Roast turkey and cranberry sauce and mince pieAre there on the table, I saw passing by.Father Christmas:Now Santa has come, let the banquet be sharedThat for our reunion I've ordered prepared.To the dining-room we will adjourn, Mother Goose;(Takes her arm)Come, all the rest, follow—I'll take no excuse.Santa Claus, lead Thanksgiving; Jack, Happy New Year;Away now, my friends, to our good Christmas cheer!(All go out, two by two, singing the following stanza to the air of "Upidee.")All together:
(Enter Thanksgiving, carrying a basket of fruit, and accompanied by her children, Peace and Plenty.)
Father Christmas: Why, here's my dear niece Thanksgiving, with her two fine youngsters, Peace and Plenty! Thanksgiving, my dear, permit me to present you to Mother Goose, her son Jack, and all the rest of her family.(Mutual recognitions.}Also, to the Children of All Nations.(Bows.)
Thanksgiving:
(Presents basket.)
Peace and Plenty (together):
(Thanksgiving, Peace, and Plenty now take places near Father Christmas, while Happy New Year enters, carrying a bunch of keys. She is accompanied by two children, Hope and Good Resolutions.)
Father Christmas (rising to greet her): My dear daughter Happy New Year, we are glad to see you, with Hope and Good Resolutions looking so bright and well. Permit me to introduce my guests.(Mutual recognitions.)
Happy New Year:
Hope and Good Resolutions (together): Good cheer, Mother Goose! Father Christmas, good cheer! We wish each and all of you happy New Year!
(Happy New Year and her children group themselves next to Thanksgiving. Enter Santa Claus, bustling about and shaking hands with everybody while speaking.)
Santa Claus:
Father Christmas:
(All go out, two by two, singing the following stanza to the air of "Upidee.")
All together:
Christmas Waits.
By KATHERINE WEST.
(Dress four boys, or six, in a quaint costume,—full knee-breeches, low shoes with bright buckles, tunic or doublet with white frills at the throat and wrist; a short full cape hanging from the shoulders, and soft caps with plumes. Old garments may be re-arranged to give a picturesque effect, or some new, inexpensive material bought. Each boy should have a voice of pleasing quality, and be taught the Christmas song perfectly.
Arrange a frame like a window casement at the back of the platform a little to one side. Behind this let a light burn dimly until a signal is given for full illumination. If practicable, leave the rest of the stage and audience-room in darkness.
The boys begin to sing behind closed doors, and are heard coming nearer singing the first verse of "On this Happy Birthday." They enter and approach the centre of the platform. The casement is thrown open and half a dozen children's heads appear. There is a clapping of hands till the second verse is begun by the waits. At the last line the children throw out pennies and candies wrapped in paper. The singers scramble for them, and then give the third verse of the carol. The fourth verse may be sung as the boys move away and disappear in the distance. As a preliminary to this little performance a few words may be said about the old English custom of the waits coming to sing under the windows on Christmas eve.)
On This Happy Birthday.
By Mrs. CHARLOTTE B. MERRITT. Mrs. SARAH L. WARNER.
On This Happy Birthday sheet music
[Transcriber's note: Click here to hear a midi of this song. ]
A Christmas Party.
By LIZZIE M. HADLEY.
(CHARACTERS:1897, a bent and feeble old man with skull-cap and white beard, leaning on a cane. The number 1897 across his forehead or breast.South Wind, a slender brunette in veil, mantle, and cape of green cheese cloth, cape belted down in the back. As she enters she flourishes her arms to throw out veil and cape.Messenger, in lettered uniform. FourHeralds, uniformed somewhat like messenger. NineFairies, very small girls. Coronets of silver paper. Flowing robes of cheese cloth with angel sleeves worn over clothing sufficiently warm for the season. Colors to present the plants whose leaves they carry. Silver belts, shoe-buckles, and necklaces. Leaves cut from green paper, and letters from gilt.Kriss Kringle, Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Knight Rupert, andBabouscain appropriate costumes. NineChildren, in ordinary clothes.North Wind, East Wind, andWest Windin costumes similar toSouth Wind, but varying in color,—white for north, blue for east, and red for west. The Winds stand behind St. Nicholas and keep up a restless blowing; that is, a fluttering and ballooning of capes and veils by flourishing arms.)
1897:I'm growing old and feeble,So much excitement's wrong;Folks should have had their ChristmasWhen I was young and strong.Instead of that, they take itWhen I really ought to rest.My last days should be peacefulBut—Father Time knows bestAnd now I must be stirring,And call for Santa Claus;I almost dread his coming,There's always such a noise.The winds shall be my heralds—Come, North Wind, where are you?Just whisper to old SantaThat here he'll soon be due.Now while I am about it,Perhaps it would be bestTo call that windy heraldWhose home is in the west.(Enter South Wind)Here comes my daughter, South Wind.South Wind:I'm almost out of breath,I really fear the North WindIntends to be my death.1897:I'll bid him treat you kindly;He should not be so rough;He's getting much too boisterous,I know that well enough.You're all here now but East WindI'll call for him again.Messenger (entering):The East Wind says his health demandsA little snow or rain.1897:Well, well, just tell the storm cloudsTo send us rain or snow.(Snowflakes begin to fall, seen through a window,—cotton or bits of paper)Well done! Now are you readyUpon your way to go?For some one must be biddingKnight Rupert come this way,To give the German childrenTheir presents, Christmas day.And then there's old Babousca—In Russia she'll be found;Kriss Kringle and St. Nicholas,They, too, must both be round.Heralds:We know where each one liveth,Full soon they shall appear.We go to do your bidding.Farewell, farewell, Old Year.(Exit Heralds. Enter Fairies)1897:Bless me! what little people!(Speaks to first one.)Why, who are you, my dear?I ne'er before have seen you.What are you doing here?Fairies:Oh, we are little fairiesFrom out the ether blue.Here is a Christmas posyWe are bringing unto you.And the initial lettersWill a starry chaplet make.Each trusts you will receive it,And wear it for her sake.ChristmasFirst Fairy (pointing to first leaf in chaplet):This is for Cypress.Second Fairy:And this for Holly.Third Fairy:And this for Rose of Jericho.Fourth Fairy:And this for Ivy.Fifth Fairy:And this for Speedwell.Sixth Fairy:And this for Thyme.Seventh Fairy:And this for Mistletoe.Eighth Fairy:And this for the quivering Aspen.Ninth Fairy:And this for Star of Bethlehem.(They place chaplet upon the head of 1897.)1897:Here's thanks, my little people,For this your posy sweet;Your loving thought has surelyMade my happiness complete.(Enter Kriss Kringle, Santa Claus, Prince Rupert, andBabousca.)Why here is old Kriss Kringle;And Santa's coming, too;Knight Rupert and Babousca,I welcome both of you.And from the frozen Northland,I see a-riding downThe cheery old St. Nicholas,Clad in his friar's gown.
(They place chaplet upon the head of 1897.)
(Enter Kriss Kringle, Santa Claus, Prince Rupert, andBabousca.)
Stage movement
(Enter St. Nicholas.)(Enter children, singing. They march around the stage, and finally stop in front of 1897 and the others.)See how the children, so happy and gay,Come marching together this glad Christmas day.Children:With hands on our heads, while the bells sweetly chime,All blithely we're keeping the glad Christmas time.Marching and singing, so gayly we go,Turning and winding in lines to and fro.Clap all together, and sing, sing away,So merrily keeping this glad Christmas day.1897:Oh, children, little children,You're welcome here alway;I'm glad to see you comingTo keep our Christmas day.(Bells outside.)Oh, children, little children,Why do the joy-bells chime?(Singing heard outside. The following words, to the tune of "Ring, Ye Happy Christmas Bells.")Carol, O ye children all,With no thought of sadness;Welcome in the Christmas timeWith your songs of gladness.Chorus—Sing, O sing,Bells all ring,Let us now be merry,Let us welcome Christmas dayWith our songs so cheery.1897:Hark, how the winds are blowing,What music do they bring.Children:You hear the little childrenTheir Christmas carols sing.1897:O children, little children,What light is that afar?Children:'Tis shining from the heavens,A glorious Christmas star.1897:O children, little children,What means its glorious rays?And why is Christmas betterThan many other days?Children:Oh, don't you know the storyOf the first Christmas time?Then listen, we will tell it,While the bells so sweetly chime.First child:We count the years by hundredsSince that first Christmas day.When in a lowly mangerThe little Christ-child lay.Second child:That night some shepherds tendingTheir flocks upon the hill,Heard heavenly voices singing,"Peace, peace! On earth, good will."Third child:All bright as noon-tide splendor.A light about them shone,While louder sang the angels,"A Saviour hath been born!"Fourth child:And then a sudden darkness—The voices died away,The wondering shepherds hurriedTo where the young Child lay.Fifth child:Their flocks were all untended,While filled with love and awe,They bent above the mangerAnd the Baby Jesus saw.Sixth child:Then, too, the wise men watchingBeheld a star that shone,In the blue heavens above themTo tell that Christ was born.Seventh child:And with their camels ladenWith spices and gold.They came from eastern countriesThe young King to behold.Eighth child:The star still went before them,And pointing out the way,It shone upon the stableWhere the Babe of Bethlehem layNinth child:And then, all lowly bending,They worshipped the young King,And gave him from their treasuresFull many an offering.Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Kriss Kringle, etc.:O children we have numberedLong centuries since then,But we see at every ChristmasThat little Child again.And we bring to all good childrenIn memory of that time,Some pretty Christmas present,While the joy-bells gayly chime.1897:O children, little children,I soon must pass away,But 'tis good to have the memoryOf this blessed Christmas day.Santa Claus and others:We, too, must now be going.And as we march along,O let us sing togetherA happy Christmas song.(All march out singing. Tune "Yankee Doodle.")O the merry Christmas timeNow is in the way, sir,Ev'ry sweet and happy chimeTells of Christmas day, sir.Chorus.—Christmas it is coming, now,Don't you hear the bells, sir?Happy Christmas time is here,To the world we tell, sir.
(Enter St. Nicholas.)
(Enter children, singing. They march around the stage, and finally stop in front of 1897 and the others.)
1897:
(Singing heard outside. The following words, to the tune of "Ring, Ye Happy Christmas Bells.")
1897:
Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Kriss Kringle, etc.:
(All march out singing. Tune "Yankee Doodle.")
Santa's Helpers.
By M. NORA BOYLAN.
Christmas Eve.
(This must be spoken as if singing a lullaby to a baby, with motions indicating the sleeping child near.)
—Eugene Field.
Santa Claus's Visit.
By SUSIE M. BEST.
To Santa Claus.
By JENNIE D. MOORE.
(Recitation for a little boy.)
What I Should Like.
By JENNIE D. MOORE.
(Recitation for a little girl.)
A Gentle Reminder.
Alice W. Rollins.
Christmas Time.
By M.N.B.
(An introductory recitation for a Christmas program.)
Christmas Wishes.
By C. PHILLIPS.
(These couplets may be given by three primary children to open Christmas program.)
Christmas Morn.
By M.N.B.
(Recitation and chorus. A semi-circle of primary children is formed on the stage. They sing first verse of the familiar church tune, "Joy to the World.")
My Christmas Secrets.
By S.C. PEABODY.
Kriss Kringle.
By SUSIE M. BEST.
A Message.
By ELLA M. POWERS.
(For three primary children to recite.)
The Mousie.
By M.N.B.
(A very small primary boy may recite these lines.)
A Letter from Santa Claus.
By WILLIAM HOWARD.
(A little girl is seated with her slate and pencil. A postman's whistle is heard, and she exclaims, "There is the letter-man!" She runs to the door and returns with a large envelope, made of white wrapping-paper sealed with red wax, which she tears open, announces it is written by Santa Claus to the pupils of the school, and then reads it aloud. In the last verse the names of the children present are to be substituted for the printed ones.)
The Christmas We Like.
By ELLA M. POWERS.
(A recitation for two primary children.)
Saint Nick.
By M.N.B.
(For the youngest pupil to recite.)
Merry, Merry Christmas.
(Over the platform against the wall hang the words "Merry, Merry Christmas." They may be simply made of dark-colored pasteboard twelve inches high, or the cardboard may be covered with red berries and evergreen. The five children who recite in turn point to the words whenever they speak them.)
Carine L. Rose, in Good Housekeeping.
Christmas Questions.
BY WOLSTAN DIXEY.
(At the three last words the speaker raises her finger impressively.)
A Catastrophe.
BY SUSIE M. BEST.
A Christmas Gift.
By MABEL L. PRAY.
A Christmas Thought.
(To be recited with careful regard to smoothness, without a sing-song effect.)
—Lucy Larcom
The Merry Christmas Eve.
—Charles Kingsley.
The Christmas Stocking.