The Contra Dance

With lightened heart and care-loosed feet setting out hand-in-hand to Celtic tune and callers bleat of "hay," "gypsy," "allemand." All that satin, cotton and silk a'twirl in twos and fours, topped by smiles white as milk on dancers by the score. Away sad thoughts, can you not see? The dance is on, it's time for glee! Consider the dance in contrast to and not as to oppose, this instant poised, then threading through a line, and then who knows? Tumbl' out your hair, O lady dear. What need have you for care? This dizziness will soon make clear, so lose yourself in ayre.