199) O the moon shone bright on Mrs. Porter
200) And on her daughter
201) They wash their feet in soda water
Eliot wrote a note for these lines:
I do not know the origin of the ballad from which these lines are taken: it was reported to me from Sydney, Australia.
The origin of the ballad was a popular American tune named Red Wing. This song was also known by the titles Indian Intermezzo and Indian Fable. The lyrics were written by Thurland Chattaway and the melody was composed by Kerry Mills (who also wrote Meet Me In St. Louis.)