THE KING OF THE YEAR.

For Seventeen or More Characters.

This can be carried out with children entirely or with part adults.

Boys.

Girls.

No stage setting required except throne for theKing.

Tune: “A-Roving.”

Children(enter, curtsey to audience. Sing.)—We’ve gathered here, kind friends so dear,To choose ourselves a King;And when we find the nicest kindWe’ll clap our hands and gayly sing,A welcome to our kingWe will gayly sing.CHORUS.Oh, glad will the day be whenWe have a king who joy will bring!We’ll give a joyous welcomeTo our king.(New Yearenters, bows to children. They curtsey to him. He sings.)Tune: “Kingdom Comin’.”My little friends, I bring you greetingsFor a happy New Year’s Day.I’m the holiday of hope and rejoicing,And I drive dull care away.You all enjoy the rosy picturesOf the future that I bring,And you like to make my good resolutions,So you’d better crown me king!Children(singing chorus).The New Year comes, ho, ho! We hate to see it go;For we like to make good resolutionsWhich we never keep, you know!(New Yearsteps to one side.Valentineenters, salutes the children first, then the audience.)Tune: “She’s Gone; Let Her Go.”Valentine—I’m the patron saint of the children,But I care for all true hearts as well.Be they sixteen or sixty I love them all,And they long for my magic spell.Dear Cupid’s my merry attendant.He obeys me where’er he may be.You may roam this wide world over,But you’ll never find a friend like me.Children—Valentine is a good saint, we love him;Cupid dear is a very good friend,With his kisses and darts, and his loving hearts,There are thrills for us without end.(Valentineretires.Saint Patrickenters, salutes, and sings.)Tune: “Mush, Mush.”Saint Patrick—Oh, me darlin’s, I’ve come to remind yeThat ’tis I’m the best fri’nd can be found.Where’s the toime for sich rollickin’ fun nowAs ye’ll get when my day comes ’round?All(join)—For ’tis mush, mush, mush tu—ral—i—ad—dy,Sing mush, mush, mush tu—ral—i—ay,(Pat.dances, all keep time.)There’s ne’er a gossoon in the villageBut welcomes Saint Patrick’s fine day.Saint Patrick—So children dear, don’t ye forget me,I’ve hearts of all kinds for yer choice,Take yer pick,—but don’t fail to rememberAn’ shout fer me wid yer swate voice.All—For ’tis mush, etc.(Pat.dances, etc.)(Saint Patrickretires,Easterenters, salutes, etc.)Tune: “Upidee.”Easter—I come to bring you Easter morn,Easter morn, Easter morn,It tells the winter’s cold has goneHappy Easter morn,The day when come the flowers of spring,The day when all the sweet birds sing.All—Happy Easter day is here,Happy day, happy day!For winter’s death has gone away,Blessed Easter day.(April Fooldances in, sings joyously, attitudinizing.)April Fool—I come to banish solemn thought,April fool! April fool!You’re free for jokes—but don’t get caught,Jolly April fool!(Points toEaster.)She’s all right, sure, but follow me,And fun and frolic you shall see.(Music, but no singing.Aprilprances and dances,Childrenwave hands in time, others move heads in time. At closeAprilbows himself back into a place with the other holidays.MayandJuneenter.)Tune: “Noah’s Ark.”MayandJune—Oh children dear, see here, see here,We’ve come with beautiful flowers.The winter gray has gone away,And we’re not afraid of the showers.May—May time posiesAre all for you to be picking;June—June time rosesAre yours, you may gather them all.May—The grass is green, come choose your queen,Here’s crown and scepter of flowers;June—On bush and vine my blossoms twine,And sweeten the sunny hours.CHORUS.May time posies, etc.Children—The flowers have come, the blessed flowers,With joy our voices are ringing.For May-time posies, June-time roses,Give we thanks as we sing.May-time posiesAre all for us to be picking!And June-time rosesAre ours, we may gather them all!(MayandJuneretire, July enters, keeping time with a slight tap of his drum until he reaches his place, and very lightly through the first verse, then louder at the chorus.)Tune: “Rumsty Ho!”July—The firecrackers pop, and the guns go bang!Hip hurrah! Hip hurrah!The cannons go “boom!” and the gay bells cling-clang!And the boys shout the message “Fourth of July!”Hip—a—yi! Fourth July!This day is jolliest of them all.Hip hurrah! Hip hurrah!The crackers are popping, and drums do call,And the flags are a-flying on house and hall,Hip—a—yi! Fourth July!(Childrenjoin.Julymarches, taps drum, all keep time, softly patting hands, strike hands at second syllable of “Hurrah, hurrah!” and again at last syllable of hip—a—yi and July.)The drummer boys drum, the band calls sweet,All—Hip hurrah! Hip hurrah!July—The soldiers are marching along the street,And you have to keep time with your hands and feet.All—Hip—a—yi! Fourth July!(Julyretires,Vacation Twinsenter.)Tune: “McSorley’s Twins.”Vacation Twins—Oh, we are Vacation, and we are the twins,Who are worth all the rest of the year.No school times for us, but we play all day long,And nothing but fun you can hear.And ’tis camping and riding and fishing we go,With tramping o’er mountains and lea,Will you tell us if ever a king there could beWho would rule you so kindly as we?CHORUS.Children—Yes, we know you, Vacation, we know you so wellYou will be a delight, that is clear,Such elegant times you give us, yes we knowYou’re the best of them all in the year.(Repeat the chorus.)(Hallowe’enhurries in.)Tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”Hallowe’en—Wait a little, children dear,Wait and hear! Wait and hear!You’ve forgotten something near,Listen, you shall hear.(Slower and with much emphasis on each word.)In autumn time there comes a nightFull of fright—a ghostly night,When you see full many a sight,Many a sound shall hear(She continues, using the college chorus.)Here the witches call! A—a—a—ah!(Sung slowly with a wail.)(Stage whisper.)Oh aren’t you glad to hear such a call as that?Hearts going pit—a—pat, hair rising ’neath your hat,Oh, aren’t you glad at the call of the witches’ catAt old Hallowe’en?(Quicker.)Wait a little, children dear,Wait and hear! Wait and hear!You’ve forgotten something near,Something you shall hear.(Slower, with earnestness, marks signs in the air.)Magic tokens then appear,Spells are wrought, sounds you hear,(Slower.)Fortunes told for all the year,(Very slow and soft.)Told you soft and clear.All(very loud)—Hear the witches call! A—a—a—ah!(Repeat, with hands over ears, then a third time very softly.)CHORUS.All—(Remove hands from ears, reach out both hands toHallowe’en.)Yes, we are glad (hands clasped over head, eyes staring)to hear such a call as that,(Softer.)Hearts going pit—a—pat, at such a call as that,Yes, we are glad (pause, count five) to hear such a call as that(Silence, all listen with hand at ear, count ten slowly, then loudly.)At old Hallowe’en.(Thanksgivingsings behind scenes, all start, listen, and as she enters, as indicated, all smile andChildrentake hold of hands.)Tune: “Auld Lang Syne.”Should auld acquaintance be forgotAnd never brought to mind?Should auld acquaintance be forgot,And days of auld lang syne?(Enters slowly.)For auld lang syne, my dear,For auld lang syne,We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,For auld lang syne.For all the blessings sent to us,For all the love that’s given,For country dear, for home, for friends,We thank thee, God in heaven.Thanksgiving gives us sweetest cheer,It turns our thoughts above.For all the blessings of the year,We thank thee, God above.(Second verse repeated by all. Raise faces and fold hands during the last lines.Thanksgivingretires.)(Santa Claus, behind scenes.)Tune: “Oh, Dem Golden Slippers.”Santa Claus—I am coming near, I am almost here,(All listen.)I am bringing you merriment and joyous cheer,(Enters. As he singsChildrenshow various degrees of delight.)Happy hearts and faces that smile, and smile,I am bringing to you children, as I come.(Winks, nods, shows full stockings and bundles in his pack.)And the varied fruits of the Christmas tree,And the overflowing stockings you soon shall see;And the bundles queer, and surprises dear,I am bringing to you, children, as I come.Children—(Clap hands at “merry” wherever it comes in the chorus, surroundSanta Claus, taking his hands, etc.)Oh, ’tis merry Christmas! Oh, ’tis merry Christmas!Merry Christmas that we love best of all the whole round year!Oh, ’tis merry Christmas! Oh, ’tis merry Christmas!Merry Christmas who’ll be our king!He’s best of all the year!(Repeat chorus, they all surroundSanta Claus, taking him with them as they march around the stage, half the children on either side. If necessary, sing the chorus a second time to prolong the march. They end by leadingSanta Clausto the throne and placing him upon it, and as the children sing the next verse they crown him. The holidays stand half on either side.)Children—There’s no other one under all the sunBrings us such gay hearts and such cheery fun.So we crown him king, and we love to singHow we love him, as we crown him our king.(Holidaysjoin.)CHORUS.Oh, ’tis merry Christmas, etc.All(sing)—Oh, our hearts grow tender when he comes ’round,And we try to make happiness for all abound;For his love for us makes us love you all,So we love him, and we crown him for our king.CHORUS.Oh, ’tis merry Christmas, etc.

Children(enter, curtsey to audience. Sing.)—

We’ve gathered here, kind friends so dear,

To choose ourselves a King;

And when we find the nicest kind

We’ll clap our hands and gayly sing,

A welcome to our king

We will gayly sing.

CHORUS.Oh, glad will the day be whenWe have a king who joy will bring!We’ll give a joyous welcomeTo our king.

CHORUS.

Oh, glad will the day be when

We have a king who joy will bring!

We’ll give a joyous welcome

To our king.

(New Yearenters, bows to children. They curtsey to him. He sings.)

Tune: “Kingdom Comin’.”

My little friends, I bring you greetingsFor a happy New Year’s Day.I’m the holiday of hope and rejoicing,And I drive dull care away.You all enjoy the rosy picturesOf the future that I bring,And you like to make my good resolutions,So you’d better crown me king!

My little friends, I bring you greetings

For a happy New Year’s Day.

I’m the holiday of hope and rejoicing,

And I drive dull care away.

You all enjoy the rosy pictures

Of the future that I bring,

And you like to make my good resolutions,

So you’d better crown me king!

Children(singing chorus).The New Year comes, ho, ho! We hate to see it go;For we like to make good resolutionsWhich we never keep, you know!

Children(singing chorus).

The New Year comes, ho, ho! We hate to see it go;

For we like to make good resolutions

Which we never keep, you know!

(New Yearsteps to one side.Valentineenters, salutes the children first, then the audience.)

Tune: “She’s Gone; Let Her Go.”

Valentine—I’m the patron saint of the children,But I care for all true hearts as well.Be they sixteen or sixty I love them all,And they long for my magic spell.

Valentine—

I’m the patron saint of the children,

But I care for all true hearts as well.

Be they sixteen or sixty I love them all,

And they long for my magic spell.

Dear Cupid’s my merry attendant.He obeys me where’er he may be.You may roam this wide world over,But you’ll never find a friend like me.

Dear Cupid’s my merry attendant.

He obeys me where’er he may be.

You may roam this wide world over,

But you’ll never find a friend like me.

Children—Valentine is a good saint, we love him;Cupid dear is a very good friend,With his kisses and darts, and his loving hearts,There are thrills for us without end.

Children—

Valentine is a good saint, we love him;

Cupid dear is a very good friend,

With his kisses and darts, and his loving hearts,

There are thrills for us without end.

(Valentineretires.Saint Patrickenters, salutes, and sings.)

Tune: “Mush, Mush.”

Saint Patrick—Oh, me darlin’s, I’ve come to remind yeThat ’tis I’m the best fri’nd can be found.Where’s the toime for sich rollickin’ fun nowAs ye’ll get when my day comes ’round?

Saint Patrick—

Oh, me darlin’s, I’ve come to remind ye

That ’tis I’m the best fri’nd can be found.

Where’s the toime for sich rollickin’ fun now

As ye’ll get when my day comes ’round?

All(join)—For ’tis mush, mush, mush tu—ral—i—ad—dy,Sing mush, mush, mush tu—ral—i—ay,(Pat.dances, all keep time.)

All(join)—

For ’tis mush, mush, mush tu—ral—i—ad—dy,

Sing mush, mush, mush tu—ral—i—ay,

(Pat.dances, all keep time.)

There’s ne’er a gossoon in the villageBut welcomes Saint Patrick’s fine day.

There’s ne’er a gossoon in the village

But welcomes Saint Patrick’s fine day.

Saint Patrick—So children dear, don’t ye forget me,I’ve hearts of all kinds for yer choice,Take yer pick,—but don’t fail to rememberAn’ shout fer me wid yer swate voice.

Saint Patrick—

So children dear, don’t ye forget me,

I’ve hearts of all kinds for yer choice,

Take yer pick,—but don’t fail to remember

An’ shout fer me wid yer swate voice.

All—For ’tis mush, etc.(Pat.dances, etc.)

All—

For ’tis mush, etc.

(Pat.dances, etc.)

(Saint Patrickretires,Easterenters, salutes, etc.)

Tune: “Upidee.”

Easter—I come to bring you Easter morn,Easter morn, Easter morn,It tells the winter’s cold has goneHappy Easter morn,The day when come the flowers of spring,The day when all the sweet birds sing.

Easter—

I come to bring you Easter morn,

Easter morn, Easter morn,

It tells the winter’s cold has gone

Happy Easter morn,

The day when come the flowers of spring,

The day when all the sweet birds sing.

All—Happy Easter day is here,Happy day, happy day!For winter’s death has gone away,Blessed Easter day.

All—

Happy Easter day is here,

Happy day, happy day!

For winter’s death has gone away,

Blessed Easter day.

(April Fooldances in, sings joyously, attitudinizing.)

April Fool—I come to banish solemn thought,April fool! April fool!You’re free for jokes—but don’t get caught,Jolly April fool!(Points toEaster.)She’s all right, sure, but follow me,And fun and frolic you shall see.

April Fool—

I come to banish solemn thought,

April fool! April fool!

You’re free for jokes—but don’t get caught,

Jolly April fool!

(Points toEaster.)

She’s all right, sure, but follow me,

And fun and frolic you shall see.

(Music, but no singing.Aprilprances and dances,Childrenwave hands in time, others move heads in time. At closeAprilbows himself back into a place with the other holidays.MayandJuneenter.)

Tune: “Noah’s Ark.”

MayandJune—Oh children dear, see here, see here,We’ve come with beautiful flowers.The winter gray has gone away,And we’re not afraid of the showers.

MayandJune—

Oh children dear, see here, see here,

We’ve come with beautiful flowers.

The winter gray has gone away,

And we’re not afraid of the showers.

May—May time posiesAre all for you to be picking;

May—

May time posies

Are all for you to be picking;

June—June time rosesAre yours, you may gather them all.

June—

June time roses

Are yours, you may gather them all.

May—The grass is green, come choose your queen,Here’s crown and scepter of flowers;

May—

The grass is green, come choose your queen,

Here’s crown and scepter of flowers;

June—On bush and vine my blossoms twine,And sweeten the sunny hours.

June—

On bush and vine my blossoms twine,

And sweeten the sunny hours.

CHORUS.May time posies, etc.

CHORUS.

May time posies, etc.

Children—The flowers have come, the blessed flowers,With joy our voices are ringing.For May-time posies, June-time roses,Give we thanks as we sing.May-time posiesAre all for us to be picking!And June-time rosesAre ours, we may gather them all!

Children—

The flowers have come, the blessed flowers,

With joy our voices are ringing.

For May-time posies, June-time roses,

Give we thanks as we sing.

May-time posies

Are all for us to be picking!

And June-time roses

Are ours, we may gather them all!

(MayandJuneretire, July enters, keeping time with a slight tap of his drum until he reaches his place, and very lightly through the first verse, then louder at the chorus.)

Tune: “Rumsty Ho!”

July—The firecrackers pop, and the guns go bang!Hip hurrah! Hip hurrah!The cannons go “boom!” and the gay bells cling-clang!And the boys shout the message “Fourth of July!”Hip—a—yi! Fourth July!

July—

The firecrackers pop, and the guns go bang!

Hip hurrah! Hip hurrah!

The cannons go “boom!” and the gay bells cling-clang!

And the boys shout the message “Fourth of July!”

Hip—a—yi! Fourth July!

This day is jolliest of them all.Hip hurrah! Hip hurrah!The crackers are popping, and drums do call,And the flags are a-flying on house and hall,Hip—a—yi! Fourth July!

This day is jolliest of them all.

Hip hurrah! Hip hurrah!

The crackers are popping, and drums do call,

And the flags are a-flying on house and hall,

Hip—a—yi! Fourth July!

(Childrenjoin.Julymarches, taps drum, all keep time, softly patting hands, strike hands at second syllable of “Hurrah, hurrah!” and again at last syllable of hip—a—yi and July.)

The drummer boys drum, the band calls sweet,

All—Hip hurrah! Hip hurrah!

All—

Hip hurrah! Hip hurrah!

July—The soldiers are marching along the street,And you have to keep time with your hands and feet.

July—

The soldiers are marching along the street,

And you have to keep time with your hands and feet.

All—Hip—a—yi! Fourth July!

All—

Hip—a—yi! Fourth July!

(Julyretires,Vacation Twinsenter.)

Tune: “McSorley’s Twins.”

Vacation Twins—Oh, we are Vacation, and we are the twins,Who are worth all the rest of the year.No school times for us, but we play all day long,And nothing but fun you can hear.And ’tis camping and riding and fishing we go,With tramping o’er mountains and lea,Will you tell us if ever a king there could beWho would rule you so kindly as we?

Vacation Twins—

Oh, we are Vacation, and we are the twins,

Who are worth all the rest of the year.

No school times for us, but we play all day long,

And nothing but fun you can hear.

And ’tis camping and riding and fishing we go,

With tramping o’er mountains and lea,

Will you tell us if ever a king there could be

Who would rule you so kindly as we?

CHORUS.Children—Yes, we know you, Vacation, we know you so wellYou will be a delight, that is clear,Such elegant times you give us, yes we knowYou’re the best of them all in the year.(Repeat the chorus.)

CHORUS.

Children—

Yes, we know you, Vacation, we know you so well

You will be a delight, that is clear,

Such elegant times you give us, yes we know

You’re the best of them all in the year.

(Repeat the chorus.)

(Hallowe’enhurries in.)

Tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

Hallowe’en—Wait a little, children dear,Wait and hear! Wait and hear!You’ve forgotten something near,Listen, you shall hear.(Slower and with much emphasis on each word.)

Hallowe’en—

Wait a little, children dear,

Wait and hear! Wait and hear!

You’ve forgotten something near,

Listen, you shall hear.

(Slower and with much emphasis on each word.)

In autumn time there comes a nightFull of fright—a ghostly night,When you see full many a sight,Many a sound shall hear(She continues, using the college chorus.)

In autumn time there comes a night

Full of fright—a ghostly night,

When you see full many a sight,

Many a sound shall hear

(She continues, using the college chorus.)

Here the witches call! A—a—a—ah!(Sung slowly with a wail.)

Here the witches call! A—a—a—ah!

(Sung slowly with a wail.)

(Stage whisper.)Oh aren’t you glad to hear such a call as that?Hearts going pit—a—pat, hair rising ’neath your hat,Oh, aren’t you glad at the call of the witches’ catAt old Hallowe’en?

(Stage whisper.)

Oh aren’t you glad to hear such a call as that?

Hearts going pit—a—pat, hair rising ’neath your hat,

Oh, aren’t you glad at the call of the witches’ cat

At old Hallowe’en?

(Quicker.)Wait a little, children dear,Wait and hear! Wait and hear!You’ve forgotten something near,Something you shall hear.

(Quicker.)

Wait a little, children dear,

Wait and hear! Wait and hear!

You’ve forgotten something near,

Something you shall hear.

(Slower, with earnestness, marks signs in the air.)Magic tokens then appear,Spells are wrought, sounds you hear,

(Slower, with earnestness, marks signs in the air.)

Magic tokens then appear,

Spells are wrought, sounds you hear,

(Slower.)Fortunes told for all the year,

(Slower.)

Fortunes told for all the year,

(Very slow and soft.)Told you soft and clear.

(Very slow and soft.)

Told you soft and clear.

All(very loud)—Hear the witches call! A—a—a—ah!(Repeat, with hands over ears, then a third time very softly.)

All(very loud)—

Hear the witches call! A—a—a—ah!

(Repeat, with hands over ears, then a third time very softly.)

CHORUS.

All—(Remove hands from ears, reach out both hands toHallowe’en.)Yes, we are glad (hands clasped over head, eyes staring)to hear such a call as that,(Softer.)Hearts going pit—a—pat, at such a call as that,Yes, we are glad (pause, count five) to hear such a call as that

All—

(Remove hands from ears, reach out both hands toHallowe’en.)

Yes, we are glad (hands clasped over head, eyes staring)to hear such a call as that,

(Softer.)

Hearts going pit—a—pat, at such a call as that,

Yes, we are glad (pause, count five) to hear such a call as that

(Silence, all listen with hand at ear, count ten slowly, then loudly.)At old Hallowe’en.

(Silence, all listen with hand at ear, count ten slowly, then loudly.)

At old Hallowe’en.

(Thanksgivingsings behind scenes, all start, listen, and as she enters, as indicated, all smile andChildrentake hold of hands.)

Tune: “Auld Lang Syne.”

Should auld acquaintance be forgotAnd never brought to mind?Should auld acquaintance be forgot,And days of auld lang syne?(Enters slowly.)For auld lang syne, my dear,For auld lang syne,We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,For auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And days of auld lang syne?

(Enters slowly.)

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

For all the blessings sent to us,For all the love that’s given,For country dear, for home, for friends,We thank thee, God in heaven.Thanksgiving gives us sweetest cheer,It turns our thoughts above.For all the blessings of the year,We thank thee, God above.

For all the blessings sent to us,

For all the love that’s given,

For country dear, for home, for friends,

We thank thee, God in heaven.

Thanksgiving gives us sweetest cheer,

It turns our thoughts above.

For all the blessings of the year,

We thank thee, God above.

(Second verse repeated by all. Raise faces and fold hands during the last lines.Thanksgivingretires.)

(Santa Claus, behind scenes.)

Tune: “Oh, Dem Golden Slippers.”

Santa Claus—I am coming near, I am almost here,(All listen.)I am bringing you merriment and joyous cheer,

Santa Claus—

I am coming near, I am almost here,

(All listen.)

I am bringing you merriment and joyous cheer,

(Enters. As he singsChildrenshow various degrees of delight.)

Happy hearts and faces that smile, and smile,I am bringing to you children, as I come.

Happy hearts and faces that smile, and smile,

I am bringing to you children, as I come.

(Winks, nods, shows full stockings and bundles in his pack.)

And the varied fruits of the Christmas tree,And the overflowing stockings you soon shall see;And the bundles queer, and surprises dear,I am bringing to you, children, as I come.

And the varied fruits of the Christmas tree,

And the overflowing stockings you soon shall see;

And the bundles queer, and surprises dear,

I am bringing to you, children, as I come.

Children—(Clap hands at “merry” wherever it comes in the chorus, surroundSanta Claus, taking his hands, etc.)Oh, ’tis merry Christmas! Oh, ’tis merry Christmas!Merry Christmas that we love best of all the whole round year!Oh, ’tis merry Christmas! Oh, ’tis merry Christmas!Merry Christmas who’ll be our king!He’s best of all the year!

Children—

(Clap hands at “merry” wherever it comes in the chorus, surroundSanta Claus, taking his hands, etc.)

Oh, ’tis merry Christmas! Oh, ’tis merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas that we love best of all the whole round year!

Oh, ’tis merry Christmas! Oh, ’tis merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas who’ll be our king!

He’s best of all the year!

(Repeat chorus, they all surroundSanta Claus, taking him with them as they march around the stage, half the children on either side. If necessary, sing the chorus a second time to prolong the march. They end by leadingSanta Clausto the throne and placing him upon it, and as the children sing the next verse they crown him. The holidays stand half on either side.)

Children—There’s no other one under all the sunBrings us such gay hearts and such cheery fun.So we crown him king, and we love to singHow we love him, as we crown him our king.

Children—

There’s no other one under all the sun

Brings us such gay hearts and such cheery fun.

So we crown him king, and we love to sing

How we love him, as we crown him our king.

(Holidaysjoin.)

CHORUS.Oh, ’tis merry Christmas, etc.

CHORUS.

Oh, ’tis merry Christmas, etc.

All(sing)—Oh, our hearts grow tender when he comes ’round,And we try to make happiness for all abound;For his love for us makes us love you all,So we love him, and we crown him for our king.

All(sing)—

Oh, our hearts grow tender when he comes ’round,

And we try to make happiness for all abound;

For his love for us makes us love you all,

So we love him, and we crown him for our king.

CHORUS.Oh, ’tis merry Christmas, etc.

CHORUS.

Oh, ’tis merry Christmas, etc.

CURTAIN.

As they sing each holiday comes forward in turn and offers Santa Claus an emblem, which he hands to the children, and which they fasten—with pins or otherwise—to the high back of the throne, or to the curtain behind him, except the basket of flowers which May brings, and the roses from June. The basket is placed at his feet, and the wreath on the arm of the chair which forms his throne. The horn of plenty is also placed at his feet.

Each makes a low bow as he presents his offering.

New Year offers a large card.

St. Valentine a huge valentine.

St. Patrick a big green shamrock, cut from green cardboard.

Easter a stalk of lilies.

April his cap and bells which he takes off for the purpose.

May-day her basket.

June her wreath of roses.

July a flag.

Vacation Twins a tennis racket and a butterfly net.

Hallowe’en a witch riding on a broom, cut from black cardboard.

Thanksgiving a horn of plenty, full of grain and fruit.

Each bows, gives offering and retires to place.

No stage setting is absolutely needful for this little play except the throne for the king, but if there canbe a small platform on either side of the throne large enough to accommodate the children, or those personating them, having the holidays on the level, it will give a better effect. The throne can be merely a large upholstered chair, or it may be draped and surrounded with curtains and a canopy overhead.

New Yearshould be quite a small boy (if children take the parts) in full dress suit. This is not difficult to make and may be of cambric. If an adult takes the part, the costume may be the same, or the traditional figure of Father Time may be followed.

Saint Valentine—Shakesperian costume, tights, trunks, cloak, etc. Carries a mandolin.

Saint Patrick—Knee breeches and long frock coat of gray, battered “plug” hat, green vest and stockings, low shoes with buckles.

Easter—Long white dress with gold cord and tassel around the waist, gold band around the head, hair hanging loosely. Carries a stalk of lilies.

Fig. 1.

April Fool—Jester’s suit (can be of cambric), black tights and trunks, jacket reaching half way to knees and belted in, bottom of jacket, and the wide collar cut in long points and trimmed with orange, with tiny bells on points. Hood close fitting to head (see Fig. 1), with three curved horns turning forward. These horns are stuffed with hair. The collar is fastened to the hood, not to the jacket.

MayandJune—Two little girls. White or light dresses trimmed with flowers, wreaths on head. May’s flowers are delicate spring flowers, those of June are roses, and she carries a wreath of them.

Fourth of July—Boy with drum hung before him, firecrackers around his neck, carries a flag over his shoulder, drumstick in right hand.

Vacation Twins—Sailor or khaki suits; one carries a butterfly net, the other a tennis racket.

Hallowe’en—Long black gown, white cloth over the head, hanging evenly all around the shoulders, places cut for eyes. Carries witch riding on broom cut from black cardboard.

Thanksgiving—Puritan costume; or it may be brown, flowing robe trimmed with autumn leaves. Carries a horn of plenty, full of grain (in the grass form) and fruit. This with either costume.

Santa Claus—The traditional dress.

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