| Hamilton Fish Armstrong, ed. The Book of New York Verse. 1917. | | | | First of May in New York | | By Robert Stevenson Coffin |
| | Sung with applause at Chatham Garden, 1825.
FIRST of May, clear the way! | |
| Baskets, Barrows, Trundles; | |
| Take good care, mind the Ware! | |
| Betty, where’s the bundles? | |
| Pots and Kettles, Broken Victuals, | 5 |
| Feather Beds, Plaster Heads, | |
| Looking Glasses, Torn Mattresses, | |
| Spoons and Ladles, Babies’ Cradles, | |
| Cups and Saucers, Salts and Castors, | |
| Hurry, scurry—grave and gay, | 10 |
| All must trudge the first of May. | |
| |
| Now we start, mind the cart! | |
| Shovels, Bedclothes, Bedding; | |
| On we go, soft and slow, | |
| Like a beggar’s wedding! | 15 |
| Jointed Stools, Domestic Tools, | |
| Chairs unbacked, Tables cracked, | |
| Gridiron black, Spit and Jack, | |
| Trammels, Hooks, Musty Books, | |
| Old Potatoes, Ventilators, | 20 |
| Hurry, scurry, grave or gay, | |
| On we trudge, the First of May. | |
| |
| Now we’ve got, to the spot, | |
| Bellows, Bureau, Settee; | |
| Rope untie, mind your eye, | 25 |
| Pray, be careful Betty; | |
| Lord! what’s there? Broken Ware; | |
| Decanters dash’d, China smash’d, | |
| Pickles spoiled, Carpets soiled, | |
| Sideboard scratch’d, Cups unmatch’d, | 30 |
| Empty Casks, Broken Flasks, | |
| Hurry, scurry—grave or gay, | |
| Devil take the First of May. | | | | |
|
|
