University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1912-11-13

OF old Missouri knew nothing OF fra
ternity or sorority hops and if their
good parents could have seen a gath
ering of young people of today
whirling through the waltz or glid-
ing in the last variation of the favor
lite two-step they would have consid-
cred them subjects for grave reproof
by the preacher and for reconversion
at the next protracted meeting.
Mrs. l.. D. Ames says. however,
in an article on "The Missouri Play
Party" in the Journal of American
Folklore, that the young folks Of that
day entertained themselves in an en-
tirely satisfactory fashion. To us it
may seem crude but to them it pro-
vided recreation and keen pleasure,
satisfying the demands of young peo-
pie for joyous intercourse.
Their evening entertainments were
called play-parties. The invitations
were usually delivered by word of
mouth by one or more young men
who were getting up" the party.
Desirable young people within a ra-
dius of from three to five miles were
invited. The hostess made prepara-
ton by removing carpets and furni-
ture from the rooms to be used
Frequently, though not always, re-
freshments Of pies, cakes. apples and
cider were served. Then the guests
came to the party in farm wagons,
buggies. carts or on horseback. Az
soon as four or five couples would
arrive the fun would begin and would
last with little intermission till or
o'clock in the morning.
The parties are described thus:
"The playing consisted in keeping
step to the singing, and at the same
time going through various move
ments: as swinging partners by one
hand or both: advancing, retreating
and bowling; dancing in circles of
four or eight: promenading singly or
in pairs, sometimes hand in hand,
sometimes with crossed hands; weav-
ing back and forth between two rows
Of people going in opposite directions,
and clasping right and left hands al
ternately with those they meet"
The words of the songs were crude;
the tunes familiar simple airs.
The playing generally started with
song called
Bounce Around.
We come here to bounce around,
We come here to bounce around,
We come here to bounce around,
ira, la, la, la, Ladies do 81 do,
Gents, you know. swing to the
right and then to the left and all
promenade.
Swing to the right,
And then to the left
And all promenade.
Parts of some other dance songs
are:
Well all go down to Rowser, to
Rowser, to Rowser,
Well all go down to Rowser and
stay away all night,
And stay away all night, and stay
away all night,
Well all go down to Eowser and
stay away all night,
It's right and left to Rowser to
Rowser, to Rowser,
It's right and left to Rowser, and
stay away all night.
To the same tune they sang a song
familiar to most people:
My father and mother were Irish,
My father and mother were Irish,
My father and mother were Irish
And was Irish too, etc.
One of the favorites, which is still
played in rural communities today is:
The Jolly Old Miller.
Oh, the jolly old miller boy, he
lived by the mill,
The mill turned round with a
right good will,
And ali that he made he put it
on the shelf,
At the end of the year he was
gaining in his wealth.
One hand in the hopper, and the
other in the sack,
Gents step forward and ladies'
step back.
There were several games that were
played during resting spells that were
devices for assisting the bashful boys