A lovely song. I've been doing it here and there, after first hearing it years ago at a sing in Brooklyn. Al Cuenin did it, and he used to travel to Australia, where he heard Danny Spooner's version. That's when I became aware that the song has been a bit Folk Processed. Here, from my files, are the original Roy Abbott lyrics: Chorus: And when they dance, their dresses spin ‘round They travel so light that they ne’er touch the ground And the smiles on their faces will win every crowd The lasses who dance ‘til the morning I’ve traveled about, yes, I’ve been all around From Perth in the west, to old Sydney Town And it warms up my heart every time I look down At the lasses who dance ‘til the morning (Chorus) I’ve played for the gentry, I’ve played for them all From a small country gig to a debutante’s ball And the one thing that joins them, the big and the small Is the lasses who dance ‘til the morning (Chorus) At the end of the dance, the folks leave the floor Their feet must be tired, so tender and sore But who are the ones who call out for more? It’s the lasses who dance ‘til the morning (Chorus) So, long may I travel and far may I roam From Darwin to Hobart, a long way from home And I’ll stare at the people who I’ll never know And the lasses who dance ‘til the morning (Final chorus:) And when they dance, their dresses spin ‘round They travel so light that they ne’er touch the ground And the smiles on their faces will win every crowd The lasses who dance, The ladies who dance, The lasses who dance ‘til the morning Danny Spooner's version: Chorus: And when they dance, their dresses spin round They travel so light that they scarce touch the ground And the smiles on their faces would win any crowd The lasses who dance ‘til the morning I play in a band, I’ve played all around From Perth in the west, to old Melbourne Town But one thing delights me each time I look down It’s the lasses who dance ‘til the morning (Chorus) I’ve played for the gentry, I’ve played for them all From the old bush hut to the debutante’s ball But one thing unites them, the great and the small It’s the lasses who dance ‘til the morning (Chorus) And when the dance ends and they all leave the floor Their legs are so weary, tired and sore But, who are the ones that keep yellin’ for more? It’s the lasses who dance ‘til the morning (Chorus) So, long may I travel and far may I roam Around this big country we call our home Playing for people that I’ll never know And the lasses who dance ‘til the morning (Chorus) Whichever version you prefer, I still think it a lovely song. Jay
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