The Burma Road Tho' Down Poem by Dorothy (Alves) Holmes

There was a Tho' Down on Burma Road
The mighty Sphinx Club was the abode
Folks came from far and near
To help 'Red' celebrate another banner year.

Don't know his age
Because he still wouldn't tell
But he still looks good
So what the hell!

Yes sir, The Dancing Reds had
A grand ole time
They jitterbugged, dipped and twirled,
Stopping on a dime.

The music had everyone hopping
To the beat
But no one could out do the
'Red's' dancing feet.

The drinks were flowing
There was liquor galore
The 'Red's' kept dancing
As the crowd yelled 'More! More! More!

There was soul food to everyone's taste
From chicken to chitterlin's
Nothing went to waste.

There were baked beans and hot dogs,
Beef and potato salad too
Collard greens, string beans,
But that wouldn't do,

So they had sauerkraut and pigtails,
Pickles and peppers hot
Ham and rolls, the rest I've
Forgot.

It was a Burma Road Tho' Down all right
Everyone wished it would last all night.
But the law's the law
So at 2 a.m. we had to go
Next time there's a tho' down
I sure hope they will let me know!

Yes sir, the Dancing 'Reds' gave a Gala Affair
This poem is just to let them know
I am glad I was there!

August 3,1985