COME IN AND SHUT THE DOOR
The fiddle sang to itself, listening... Then the
fiddle began to laugh and Pa's voice laughed as he
sang... -- These Happy Golden Years, Chapter
25, "The Night Before Christmas"
"Come In and Shut the Door" was written around 1862 by "J.P.H." (unknown) with music by J.G. Callcott, a composer of songs and dance music. In These Happy Golden Years, Pa is playing his fiddle on Christmas eve 1884, and he stops to listen before beginning this song. As Pa is singing, there is a knock at the door, and Almanzo Wilder arrives unexpectedly, just in time for Christmas. In the manuscript for These Happy Golden Years, Wilder wrote: "Then he began to play again and there was a laugh in his voice as he looked toward the door and sang..." There has been speculation that Pa knew that Almanzo was returning early from his trip and was expecting him. Charles Ingalls did correspond via letter with Almanzo and Royal Wilder while they were away earlier in the winter; a letter from Pa to the brothers is on display at the Laura Ingalls Wilder / Rose Wilder Lane Home and Museum in Mansfield, Missouri. In his letter, Pa indicates that he had received at least one letter from the Wilders.
While the story in These Happy Golden Years is that Almanzo and Royal left De Smet in the fall to return to their old home in Spring Valley, Minnesota, for a visit, they actually left town with the intent of visiting the Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition being held in New Orleans, Louisiana. They intended to spend the winter on the road and return in time to plant crops in the spring. Apparently the Wilders were also in search of farmland "far enough south to be out of the blizzards" [letter from Charles Ingalls dated November 19, 1884]. In his letter, Pa suggests that he would consider a move south as well! Whether the Wilders actually made it to Louisiana is unclear, and whether both Almanzo and Royal returned to De Smet at the same time is also not known.
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COME IN AND SHUT THE DOOR
1. Oh do not stand so long outside Why need you be so shy? The people's ears are open, John As they are passing by! You cannot tell what they may think They've said strange things before And if you wish to talk a while Come in and shut the door.
[chorus] Come in, come in, come in Come in and shut the door.
2. Nay do not say "No thank you Jane" With such a bashful smile You said when ladies whisper "No" They mean "Yes" all the while My father too will welcome you I told you that before It don't look well to stand out here Come in and shut the door.
3. You say I did not answer you To what you said last night I heard your question in the dark Thought on it in the light And no my lips shall utter What my heart has said before Yes dearest I will but wait a while Come in and shut the door. |
COME IN AND SHUT THE DOOR (from These Happy Golden Years)
Oh, do not stand so long outside, Why need you be so shy? The people's ears are open, John, As they are passing by! You cannot tell what they may think They've said strange things before And if you wish to talk awhile, Come in and shut the door! Come in! Come in! Come in! Come in and shut the door!
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