Now our thanks we extend to each kind helping friend Father John and the good Theodore.

Friend Austin from Town, who has brought the house down Brent, Venus and Janette Asthore,

If atrip you ever take for sweet pleasures sake,

To old Hickory Farm you must come

And we promise you all a big butter cake,

Wi’d the gilt edge spread o’er wi’d the thumb.

Chorus

Then free you may roam round the farm and the home, And the song of the birdies will charm

At night you may spoon by the light of the moon

And play Romeo down on the farm.

Darkwod will be there to make love to the fair,

An’ sly skinner to play him a trick,

And right at their back honest fortune and Jack, With keen Rankin who acts mighty quick,

And the big Alderman, Aunt Priscilla will fan, While our little friends Jess makes the hay,

An’ the cops will be there with their whiskers scare All the tramps and the mosquitoes away.

Chorus

Then after we dine instead of the old wine Sure we’de make something sweeter to charm A wee tip like this which will ne’er go amiss With the boys of Old Hickory Farm.

Kind patrons and friends ere the curtain descends, We do pray you accept our poor thanks,

Till we all meet again may no toothache or pain Play upon you their unwelcome pranks.

May your chickens all thrive in Nineteen and Five, And your turkeys escape the black crow

And no bunion or corn your poor trampers adorne Or play ping pong round your great toe.

Chorus

Then friends never roam from the farm and the home, Where you’re safe from all danger and harm

And when ever you die may St. Peter on high

Greet the friends of Old Hickory Farm.

The Kelly’s Cross Dramatic Club, which was organized in the 1890’s, not only presented their productions in the community, but were invited to neighboring districts, and far away places. This poem by Clement Flood, written in 1900, brought to a successful close the program that was presented in Hampton Hall.

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