Pete Seeger
Clara Nolan’s Ball
[Verse 1]
Oh, we're all invited with the bands engaged
And we're going to have some fun
Miss Clara Nolan gives a ball
Today she's twenty-one
We've borrowed knives and tablecloths
From all around the town
And every man must bring a chair
If he wants to sit down
[Chorus]
Oh, will you come? Oh, will you come?
Oh, you never will forget it if you come
For the bells are ringing and the girls are singing
And the fiddle and the harp to go, "Tra-la-la-la-la"
It's teasing, it's pleasing and it's squeezing free for all
There's courting in the cornеr at Miss Clara Nolan's ball
[Verse 2]
Oh, the clock strikes ten and thе dance begins
And we keep it up 'til day
There will be no collection
For expenses to defray
We'll have golden rye and lager beer
And Philadelphia ale
And if the keg is empty
Oh, we'll go and fill the pail
[Chorus]
Oh, will you come? Oh, will you come?
Oh, you never will forget it if you come
For the bells are ringing and the girls are singing
And the fiddle and the harp to go, "Tra-la-la-la-la"
It's teasing, it's pleasing and it's squeezing free for all
There's courting in the corner at Miss Clara Nolan's ball
[Verse 3]
There's Larry comes in with his Irish fight
Fiddling fiddling too
He plays the simple Irish waltz
Likewise the Peek-a-boo
Of course it's not a Northman's house
Without pegs behind the door
And if there's no place to hang your hat
Just hang it on the floor
[Chorus]
Oh, will you come? Oh, will you come?
Oh, you never will forget it if you come
For the bells are ringing and the girls are singing
And the fiddle and the harp to go, "Tra-la-la-la-la"
It's teasing, it's pleasing and it's squeezing free for all
There's courting in the corner at Miss Clara Nolan's ball