1
There is a large crowd of young folks
Hurrying down the road;
They are going to have a picnic now,
And spread the news abroad.
2
They are wearing beautiful bouquets,
And carrying bright tin dippers;
New straw hats are waiving high,
And patent leather slippers.
3
Their hats are made of fine chiffon,
And decorated too.
There will be plenty of goodies
For your friends and for you.
4
They will have a big barbecue.
And a lot of other stuff.
They are going to eat and drink
Till everybody puff.
5
They will have cakes and candy by the heaps,
And ice cream pressed in cake;
Peanuts parched fresh and hot,
And a lot of fine milk shakes.
6
They will have fish croquets by the bushels,
And cocoanut jumbles too;
They are going to feed their friends and foes
And have enough for you.
7
They are going to have a big dance
And have a jolly time.
They want to show their handsome looks
Because they look so fine.
8
One barrel or two of lemonade,
Mixed all through with ice;
Lemons cut and thrown therein
Gee! it’s awful nice.
9
Of all the fun and jolities,
And all the places of rest,
Just go to an old picnic ground;
They tell me that’s the best.
This poem is in the public domain. Published in Poem-a-Day on February 17, 2024, by the Academy of American Poets.