Fire crackling.
Snaps like twigs
rebound 'round the square
and attract a hearty crowd.
Fire dancing.
A butcher here, a milk maid there.
The children's dirtied faces
turn aglow.
Fire singing.
Cold of night cannot hold back
those hungry for a laugh.
The fun begins.
Flutes and fiddles play.
Toodly-too-too!
A steady clap, clap brings about
the maiden and a lad.
Village song and rhyme.
Their heels click and turn with ease
around the blazing flame
to the joyous melody.
Their dancing feet die down to rest.
Townspeople clap and shout and cheer,
calling for more.
The night is young, afterall!
The children go on.
Mimicking the lass and lad
with joking, lively grins
and shrieks of innocence.
They cannot refuse.
The young ones return to the dancing flame.
Feet are fluttering once more
as they do their fireside jig.