Words and Music by Robert E. Lee

WORDS AND MUSIC BY ROBERT E. LEE A recent issue of the Alumni Magazine of Washington and Lee University reveals that in about 1866 while he was the President of Washington College, Robert E. Lee wrote the words and music of a light-hearted song called "What Do They Do at the Springs?", here reprinted in part. Pray, what do they do at the Springs, The question is easy to ask, But to answer it fully, my dear, Is rather a difficult task. But yet in a bantering way The magpie or mockingbird sings— I'll venture a bit of a song To tell what they do at the Springs. Imprimis, my dear, they drink The water so sparkling and clear, Yet the flavor is none the best, And the odor's exceedingly clear. The fluid is mingled you know, With wholesome medicinal things— So they drink and they drink and they drink, And that's what they do at the Springs. At mornings they early do gather At the wells and speak of the news. The men talk of girls and of horses And the ladies of bonnets and shoes. You hear them as they busily prattle Of scandal and various things. OI they tattle, they tattle, and tattle And that's what they do at the Springs. They stroll in the beautiful walks Or talk in the shade of the trees, And many a word there is whispered That's never told to the breeze. And hands are comingled with hands Despite the conjugal rings, Then they flirt and they flirt and they flirt, And that's what they do at the Springs. From the Richmond News Leader, January 2, 1958. 142 ...