Tell me your story-
Old worn-out shoe,
Tell me of times long ago
When you went out dancing
The whole night through.
Square dances and parties
Hither and yon,
And not getting home
‘Till the break of dawn.

Morning comes early-
Driving home with old Ned,
But chores are awaiting
No time for your bed.
There are cows to be milked,
Fed silage and hay
Then grab a quick breakfast
And greet the new day.

Many years have now passed
Dancing shoe has gone now
Time to hitch up the horses
And follow the plow.
-It’s a much slower pace-
Unlike dancing – instead-
You eagerly await the day’s end
-And Bed!

Richard James Thayer, January 19, 2007 (As inspired from a 1910 diary of his father-in-law William Herber Heath)