Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-05-02
M I g G Z L L A N Y
From the Farmers Register.
THE PERSIMMON BEER DANCE.

Some years ago, | rode in the night
10 visit patient, and as passed the
house of MIR. Samuel Poe, in the lower
end of Prince Edward, heard the
tones Of banjor, and was told by the
old gentleman, (Mr. Poe, that his SER
wants had brewed barrel of persim.
mon beer, and he gave them the privi-
lege of having what they called sheer
dance" Curiosity induced me to ride
to the door, accompanied by Mr.. Poe,
and another gentleman. And here we
saw rare sport can unco sight p
Not, however, such a sight as Tam
OShanter saw when he peeped into
"Kirk. Alloway," for the dancers there
were " acarlocks and witches; here they
were Virginia slaves, dancing jigs and
clapping "juber," over barrel ofper-
simon beer. 1t occurred to me, that
if Tam could have made his appear
ance about this time on his gray mare
Meg, the scene would have frightened
Mageie more than the "bleeze" of Kirk
Auoway and Tam might have roared
out "weel done Guilty Sark 7" thou
sand times, and the torch lights would
10. have been extingulshed.
The ball was opened with great CO.
remouy by singing song known to
Virginia slaves by the name of :" Who
zon Tohn, who IA.
Old black bull come down dc hollow.
He shake hi tail, you hear him below;
When he below be jar de river,
lie paw de yearth, no make il culver.
Whozen John, who "a
This was sky rocket thrown out,
asa prelude to the grand exhibition,
snd will give the reader some idea of
what is to follow. Those who could
not get seats in the house, took their
stand outside, peeping in the door and
through the logs, making remarks on
the dancers and here | will observe,
that there was complete Babel jar
gon, confusion of tongues !
"Down the road, come show me de
notion" Set to your partner, DOL
ly."-" Cut him out, Gabe. y" Yon-
der come de coal black horse. p" Sal
does put her foot good. =" The yal-
low roan's up hear how he lumbers |!
he's real stormer, ring clipper, snow
belcher and drag out. -" Congo is
scrouger he's up gum, and no bug
eater, tell you; he carries broad
row, weeds out every thing-hoes de
corn, and digs de taters. y" Hello in
thare, wish you all SEN US out some
'slmmon beer. >" Molly look like Kill
dec; she move like handsaw-se how
she shake herself. -" Lor see how
Aggy shake her foot she ken pull de
whip.saw down. -" Nick come here
and see Ben cross hi bow legs look
at HI mouf! when he grin, hi mouf
and teeth like hen-ness full O. eggs"
Nick | reckon if Tamar's cat stay
IN there much longer, they will mash
her CUTS out her skin 'ont hold peas"
Come here, Gabe; come if you please
--Jackson's Dick is dancing with Ell
lngton's Nance see how she quivers /!
Now Nance! Try Nance She does
but look purty.-When she sets and
turns, she is like a p'cter-and she is
fine form, back. Dick shan't have
Nance I'll kick him high as the meat
house first" Sings.] "She bin to
the north, she bin to the south, she bin
to the west, she bin so far beyond the
sun, and she is the gal for me. "-''Dick
hadn't no business dancin' with Nance
he amt a man of gumption. ! tried
him, and he can't be made to under
stand the Grammatical part Of the func,
ton, the function Of the fundamental,
and the imper,alityo of detrimental things.
Gabe !? Dicks fool, and you may tell
him Sambo says so : he is knock. knee'd
and ugly enough to cut Gum6o. y
"Well, | know that sing on Sambo.
81 went from the great house, down to the kit
chen,
To get not Of light wood TO 60 fishing,
To treat granny Dinah
J went to the stable, cotch master gray horse,
clap the saddle pom him and he trot like do'nh
care,
He do'nk care, he do'nk care.