Nowell Sing We Clear: "Harnett Kane's Southern Christmas Book describes La Guignolee, a New Year visiting custom from French communities in Missouri. We learned this English version, The Rag Dance Song, from George and Gerry Armstrong of Chicago."
Chorus:
Good evening, master and good mistress And all the good folk who live here. (x2)
We’ve come to ask for mistletoe On this last day of the old year. (x2)
If you really want to please us, just say so
Please feed and wine us, We only want a pig’s ear, then we’ll go,
And we’ll wish you a Happy New Year.
If you really want to please us, just say so
Go fetch your daughter, We only want a kiss and then we’ll go,
And we’ll wish you a Happy New Year.
If you really want to please us, just say so
Go grab your rag bag, We only want a rag dance, then we’ll go,
And we’ll wish you a Happy New Year.