Midge and the Songs

“She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes,” sang Midge as she strolled along the sidewalk with Booker-T heading to Jake's house.

“Who is coming around the mountain?” asked Gabby as he swooped down close to them as they walked.

“Hi Gabby,” said Midge. “What are you doing?”

“Looking for you,” said Gabby. “Hi you two. Where is Jake?”

“Hi Gabby,” greeted Booker-T. “Jake is at home. We are going there now.”

“So, who is going to be coming around what mountain?” asked Gabby. “Do I know who it is?”

“I don't think so Gabby,” said Midge. “I don't know who it is either.”

“Then if you don't know who it is, how do you know she is coming around the mountain?” asked Booker-T.

“Because the song says she will be coming around the mountain,” said Midge.

“What song is that?” asked Gabby.

“I think it is called, 'She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain',” said Midge. “I heard it on the radio the other day when my owner was getting ready for work.”

“Oh,” said Booker-T as they entered the gate at Jake's house. “Lets ask Jake if he knows who is coming around the mountain.”

“Who is coming around the mountain?” asked Jake when they joined him in the yard. “What are you guys talking about?”

“Midge was singing about someone coming around the mountain but she don't know who it is,” said Gabby.

“You don't know?” asked Jake. “Why are you singing about it?”

“I heard the song on the radio the other day,” said Midge.

“Oh,” said Jake. “Sing some of it.”

“She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes,” sang Midge. “She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes.”

“Hmmm,” sighed Jake. “Is that all the song says?”

“No,” said Midge. “There is more. Wait.”

“Okay,” said Jake. “We are waiting. Keep singing.”

“She'll be coming around the mountain when she comes,” continued Midge. “She'll be riding six white horses when she comes.”

“Oh wow!” said Jake. “How is she going to ride six horses?”

“I don't know,” said Midge. “I'm just singing the song.”

“Keep singing,” said Gabby.

“Yes,” smiled Booker-T, “Keep singing, maybe we will find out.”

“She'll be riding six white horses when she comes,” sang Midge. “She'll be wearing pink pajamas when she comes.”

“She must be riding those horses in her dreams,” laughed Jake. “Sleep riding.”

“Maybe,” said Gabby. “Keep going Midge. It is getting funnier now.”

“We will all go meet her when she comes,” sang Midge. “We will all go out to meet her when she comes.”

“What mountain are we going to meet her at?” asked Jake.

“I don't know,” said Midge. “The song don't say where.”

“Is there more?” asked Jake.

“She will be carrying three white puppies when she comes,” sang Midge.

“How nice,” smiled Jake. “She likes animals. “Little puppies are so cute, don't you think?”

“So are little kittens,” said Booker-T. “Does she have any kittens with her?”

“I don't know,” said Midge. “The song don't say anything about kittens.”

“Okay,” said Gabby. “Keep singing.”

“We will kill the old red rooster when she comes,” sang Midge suddenly stopping. “Oh my!”

“That is terrible,” said Jake. “Why are they going to kill the rooster?”

“I don't know,” said Midge. “We better save that poor rooster.”

“How will we save it if we don't know where it is?” asked Booker-T.

“Oh,” gasped Gabby. “That is so sad. How can she kill a poor rooster. What did it do to her?”

“I think you need to find a better song to sing Midge,” said Jake. “That one sounds like it ends bad. We don't want anyone to get hurt.”

“I could sing about the old gray mare,” said Midge.

“The old gray mare?” asked Jake. “Do you know she is old?”

“Yes,” said Midge. “She ain't what she used to be.”

“Why isn't the same anymore?” asked Gabby.

“I don't know,” said Midge. “I think because she kicked the whiffletree.”

“Whiffletree?” asked Booker-T. “What the heck is a whiffletree and why did she kick it?”

“I don't know what a whiffletree is,” said Midge. “Have you ever heard of a whiffletree Gabby?”

“No,” said Gabby shaking his head.

“Your songs are strange,” said Jake.

“Maybe,” said Midge. “I know another good one.”

“Okay,” said Booker-T as he rolled his eyes.

“Why are you rolling your eyes at me?” asked Midge.

“You are too funny,” said Booker-T. “What is the other song you know?”

“We want a good one,” said Jake.

“Okay,” said Midge. “Hmmmm. Let me see. How about this one. Round and round the cobbler's bench, the monkey chased the weasel.”

“Why was he chasing the weasel?” asked Booker-T.

“I don't know,” said Midge. “The monkey thought was all in fun when pop goes the weasel.”

“Oh no!” said Jake. “The weasel popped? That don't sound too good.”

“How did he pop?” asked Gabby. “I never saw a weasel pop before. I've seen lot of weasels, but none of them popped.”

“I don't know what it means,” said Midge. “Maybe the kids know. These are songs for kids.”

“Oh,” said Gabby. “Kids are singing bad songs.”

“I think they are just for fun,” said Midge.

“Think we need a better song for fun,” said Jake.

“Maybe,” said Midge. “Row row row your boat, gently down the stream.”

“That would be nice,” said Gabby.

“And peaceful too,” said Booker-T.

“Merrily merrily merrily merrily,” sang Midge. “Life is just a dream.”

“That is a better song,” smiled Jake. “Lets go to the park.”

“Do you know any songs Jake?” asked Midge. “You see TV a lot when your owner is watching.”

“I know Christmas songs,” said Jake. “Jingle bells, Jingle bells, Jingle all the way.”

“Lets go to the park,” smiled Midge.

“You don't like my singing?” asked Jake.

“Oh no,” said Midge. “You're okay. I'm just ready to go swim.”

“Ha ha ha,” laughed Gabby. “I don't think she likes your singing.”

“Me too,” agreed Jake. “Lets go swim.”