Songs of a 'Flapper'

The white rose nods to the musk-rose, 
And the musk-rose nods to the white,
But I am friends with ev'ry flower, 
And I nod to them left and right.

Oh, tall is the tiger-lily,
And stately the hollyhock,
But I love best the dear little daisy 
In her simple work-a-day frock.

Hallo! 'Red Admiral' there sir,
You are early out to-day!
And I am too, so beware, sir,
For this is a holiday!

What a beautiful, beautiful world it is!
How can people ever be sad?
What is it makes them grumble and frown,
And sigh that the "times are bad?"

When the sky is blue and the grass is green, 
And the hay has been stack'd for over a wee, 
When the lark is carolling harvest hymns,
And the apple is showing a rosy cheek,
What a beautiful world it is!

My sister Nell is very fair,
She has twisted up her wavy hair;
Her skirts are made without tucks now,
She has learnt to behave, she knows just how.

The neighbours call her: "Sweet Seventeen;" 
She dresses just like a fairy queen;
She has gowns of silk and hats of lace, 
But far the prettiest is her face.

There's a ball, just think, a ball to-night,
The ball is given for Nell.
There are lights and flowers ev'rywhere,
I hear the music swell.

It was half-past-nine when the dance began, 
They thought I was safe in bed,
But I crept along with naked feet,
And crouched on the stairs instead!

And Jane, the housemaid, won't betray, 
She is very kind and nice;
She brought me a glass of lemonade, 
And a great big strawberry ice.

Once Nell came and sat close by, 
With an officer, oh so smart!
He said "he had never loved before, 
But to-night he had lost his heart!"

I could not hear what her answer was, 
I nearly died of laughing,
But just look out for tomorrow, Nell,
I think there will be some chaffing!

I am getting drowsy;
I was up with the rising sun,
And the old Dutch clock on the staircase 
Has just struck one.

Good-night, little stars, good-night, 
How you twinkle and peep and stare! 
I know it is terribly, terribly late, 
Good-night little stars up there.

The night-breeze blows through my window;
To my little white bed I'll creep.
You'll only have time to twinkle twice 
Before I am fast asleep.