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The merry-go-round on Monday night will start just after tea,
And we'll both be up to take a spin, my Mary Joe and me;
Mary Joe will wear her sailor hat while she is spinning 'round,
And we'll buy our tickets on the door or buy them on the ground.
Oh, it's nice on a summer evening when your hard day's work is o'er,
To watch the crowd of boys and girls that on the parade ground pour;
And the shower of five cent pieces all the boys and girls blow in,
For to get a seat on a pony for the afternoon to spin.
What is the great attraction brings us there each afternoon?
Is it Snowball at the organ and he grinding out a tune;
Or is it the pleasure that we feel to see them spinning 'round,
Or to hear the old time howler, "Buy your tickets on the ground."
Or can it be to see your Da stripped off in shirt sleeves white,
And he grinning on a pony for to spend a happy night;
And his arms around a donkey's neck while waiting for the band,
And Mary Joe delighted to see Father do the Grand.
Hide your loose change in the corner if you feel inclined to go,
For tonight they are intended to open this grand show;
And if you have a ten cent piece I'll meet you after tea,
You can pay one five to have a spin and with the other pay for me.
Published in Burke's Ballads, p.28, c.1960, compiled by John White and archived at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Libraries, Centre For Newfoundland Studies - Digitized Books collection.
