大象传媒

The Ballrooms of Romance

by Christopher Peake

Do you recall the weekends we went to a dance ?
Some would get in free if they were given a chance
We went to Capronis on warm Saturday nights,
Those were the days when yong men rarely started fights.

The place was well crowded and we heard some great bands,
We would often stop dancing and just clap our hands.
Some of the musicians are still playing today
If you wish to hear them now it is much more you will pay.

Many of the old ballrooms have long been knocked down,
And older folks have memories of ones in their town.
The bands have long gone. The musicians are now old.
The Dance Halls have years ago been sold.

The Central in Newcastle by the Mountains of Mourne,
Where we strolled on the beach at the rising of dawn.
Capronis in Bangor was near Ballyholm beach
And many a girl that danced there was as fresh as a peach.

The Arcadia in Portrush stood proudly beside the rocks and the waves,
And a swim in the sea after the dance was just for the braves.
The Floral Hall on the Antrim Road was up by the zoo,
And Milanos and Romanos were among the others that most of us knew.

The Astor, the Orpheus were well known round the town
Sure the guys danced there with manys a girl in a beautiful gown.
In East Antrim the Rinka was down the narrow road at Islandmagee,
It is close to Whitehead which is next to the sea.

Those places were magnificent. No two were the same.
And who'll forget the Plaza which hosted the Glenn Miller Band of great fame.

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