The Dolls on Dress Parade 2

The Dolls on Dress Parade 2

 I’m Jack Tar, a sailor doll

Just off the salty sea.

And every girl in every port

Was very fond of me.

 

I’ve traveled over all the world

It’s made me very clever,

A doll of my experience

You’ll seldom find if ever.

 

[_Dances Sailor’s Hornpipe._]

 

COLLAPSIBLE DOLLS:

 

Push down our heads,—

When we arise

We’ll loudly squawk

To your surprise.

 

We all collapse

And squawk, each one.

The children think us

Lots of fun.

 

[_SHOP WOMAN pushes down head of each one and it squawks as it rises._]

 

JAPANESE DOLL:

 

My name is Lotus Flower

I came from far Japan.

Just look at my kimono

And my flirtatious fan.

 

I’ll tell of cherry blossoms,

Of feasts of long ago,

Of temple bells a-ringing.

Where paper lanterns glow.

 

I’ll bow to you politely

And drink a lot of tea.

I’ll honorably serve you,

So, please, I beg, take me.

 

DUTCH DOLL:

 

I’m Huldah from Holland,

With stout wooden shoes,

Most any wise child

Would a Dutch dolly choose.

 

I never get dirty

I smile as I play

I know you’ll soon love me,

So take me today.

 

INDIAN DOLL:

 

My name is Laughing Water,

And your papoose I’ll be

Just hang my deerskin cradle

To sway in any tree.

 

Build me a little wigwam

Where I may sleep at night,

And sing me Indian lullabies

When stars are shining bright.

 

You never need be careful

But leave me in the sun.

My wax is very solid,

My colors never run.

 

ESKIMO DOLL:

 

I’m a hardy Eskimo

From the land of ice and snow

What a lovely doll I’d be

In the winter, don’t you see?

 

Cuddle me beneath your arm,

And my fur will keep you warm.

In the snow drifts we will play

With rosy cheeks and voices gay.

 

_All dolls sing—Air: COMIN’ THRU THE RYE._

 

 

1.

 

If a girlie needs a dollie

Made for fun and play,

If the dollie must be lovely

Girlie, look this way.

 

_Chorus:_

 

Every girlie needs a dollie,

None you say have you,

So smile on me, my pretty maid,

Oh, don’t you think I’ll do?

 

2.

 

I’ve a nature kind and loving,

Very seldom cry,

Never frowning, always smiling,

Do not pass me by.

 

 

3.

 

When a girlie needs a dollie

Why the search delay?

Here am I all ready, waiting,

Choose me now, today.

 

_Enter OLD DOLL._

 

My name is Mary Alice,

And I’m old as old can be.

My paint’s washed off, my head is cracked,

No little girl wants me.

 

My hair was once in golden curls

And now it hangs forlorn,

My eyes are dim from crying,

My pretty dress is torn.

 

I only came to see the rest.

Of course I did not dream

That any child could care for me,

So shabby now I seem. [_Weeps._]

 

CHILD:

 

Oh, Mary Alice, please don’t cry.

I want you, I choose _you_.

I’ll love you much, much better

Than these dainty dolls so new.

They’ll find a home at once, I’m sure,

But you, my dear, need me.

 

[_To audience_] I’ve made a wise selection

 

I’m sure you all agree.

For after all old friends are best,

Friends that are tried and true.

And so from all the Dolls Parade

Dear Mary Alice, I choose you.

 

OLD DOLL:

 

You make me very happy.

I can scarce believe my ears—

To think that you will take _me_ home

And not those lovely dears.

 

Their clothes are fresh and dainty,

Their cheeks are painted red,

Their locks are long and curling,

While mine are straight instead.

 

But, though I’m old and faded

My heart beats warm and true—

I’ll always, always, grateful be

Dear little girl to you.

 

All the other dolls—in amazement—

 

She’s going to take MARY ALICE?

It really can’t be true—

 

[_To MARY ALICE._]

 

With all of us so beautiful

She wouldn’t look at you.

 

[_To CHILD._]

 

Just look again at us we beg.

You must have failed to see

Our shining curls, our dresses new,

Our pride and dignity.