Santa Claus' Frolics

Santa Claus' Frolics
George Baker

George M. Baker

Santa Claus' Frolics

SANTA CLAUS’ FROLICS

A CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT FOR LITTLE FOLKS

[The rising of the curtain discloses room, with a fireplace, C., on either side or above which are hung stockings of various sizes, from the baby’s little sock to Bridget’s long and broad red, blue, or black hose. On the right of the fireplace is the Christmas tree, hidden by a curtain, which is so arranged that it may be easily removed (or, if double parlors are used, or the entertainment is given in a hall or vestry, the tree can be placed in one corner of the audience-room, and while the attention of the auditors is diverted by the entertainment in the other room, or upon the platform, the tree can be lighted). Six or eight children in the scene, arrayed in night dresses and caps, with lighted candles in their hands, moving about, and occasionally looking up chimney.]

Song. – Air, “We’re all Noddin’.”

Girls.

We’re all waiting, wait, wait, waiting,
We’re all waiting for Santa Claus to come.
To catch him we’re waiting; he’ll surely be here;
The moments fly quickly, and midnight draws near.

All.

We’re all waiting, wait, wait, waiting,
We’re all waiting for Santa Claus to come.

Boys.

We’re all freezing, freeze, freeze, freezing,
We’re all freezing, here, waiting in the cold;
For Santa to bring us our presents we wait;
Come, hurry, old fellow; ’tis really quite late.

All.

We’re all freezing, freeze, freeze, freezing,
We’re all freezing, here, waiting in the cold.

Girls.

We’re all nodding, nod, nod, nodding,
We’re all nodding, and dropping off to sleep;
To our warm little beds ’tis time we should go;
Come, hurry, good Santa; pray don’t be so slow.

All.

For we’re all nodding, nod, nod, nodding,
For we’re all nodding, and dropping off to sleep.

Boys.

We’re all yawning, yaw, yaw, yawning,
We’re all yawning; so let’s go off to bed.

Girls.

To stay any longer we’re surely unwise;
We’ll wait for the daylight to open our eyes.

All.

For we’re all yawning, yaw, yaw, yawning,
We’re all yawning, and going off to bed.

[Exeunt, R. and L., repeating the last two lines

Santa Claus peeps out from chimney, then enters. Costume, rubber boots, with pants tucked into them; heavy fur coat, with red comforter tied about it; red comforter about his neck; peaked fur cap; long gray hair and beard; very red face; strapped to his back a large basket, filled with toys.

Santa (looking R. and L.).

Ho, ho, my little rogues. You set a trap
To catch me napping; now who takes the nap?
I’m an old schemer; even your sharp eyes
Could never find me in this queer disguise.
Dream on, my darlings, while I treasures heap.
Ho, ho! to fill your hose while you’re asleep.
Year after year, I drop in on the sly,
Through chimneys made for me so broad and high;
To pop down them is made my cheerful duty;
It suits me too – sometimes, almost too sooty.

(Takes basket off back.)

Let’s see: what year is this? why bless my eyes,
It’s 1872. – Good Gracious! how time flies!
And children multiply so fast, ’tis clear,
A partner I must have another year.
I’m really getting old. This wrinkled phiz
Of good old age a striking symbol is.
And yet I’m strong, can frolic, dance, or play
With young folks yet for many a Christmas day.
So I’ll not grumble; while I can, I’ll strive
To let my boys and girls know I’m alive.
What though my hair is gray, my heart is young,
And green as Christmas boughs around me hung.

Song. – Santa Claus. Air, “Captain Jinks.”