12. Gelantipy Hall

[LtoR top row] Helen (Nell) Gillies / Margaret (Peggy) Gillies as Queen of the May / Jean O’Donnell

[bottom row] Lesley Gillies / Unknown

Originally published by Bairnsdale Advertiser 1936
Thank you to the Gillies Family Collection and Joanne Harley-Dreja

Gelantipy Hall

Wallflower – back to the wall
Line of boys across the hall
Who looks through you
Who can see you tonight?

Cassanova – straightens his tie
Laughs with the guys
Avoids her eyes
Will she see you
Or see right thorough you tonight?

Bill Hodge, Barry Keat and unknown musician at Gelantipy Hall

Image Source: Thanks to Rhonda Coates, Buchan Heritage Group

And the girls go around
The boys go around
Looking for a glance
Will I take a chance
Waiting to dance
At Gelantipy Hall.

Wallflower – watches the band
A full house but an empty hand
Accordion .. seems to know her sorrow

Candle wax and sawdust on the floor
Kero lamps making shadows long
Midnight supper served
My chance is almost gone

Wallflower - steps from the dark
Looks at her watch, will he ask
Minutes get longer
Years go flying past

Cassanova – back to the wall
MC says it’s Ladies Choice
She sees through him
Drags him onto the floor

Eyes locked and sweaty palms
Twirling mess of legs and arms
Have I found my love
In this trembling mess of charm?

Last waltz the lamps are burning low
Our shadows dance against the wall
We take our flame home
From Gelantipy Ball

And the girls go around (the girls go around)
The boys go around (the boys go around)

Waiting to dance
At Gelantipy Hall.