Penny for the Guy?
Bill writes:
Tomorrow is November 5th, and that means Guy Fawkes Day. The folks around here will celebrate with bonfires and fireworks, celebrating Guy Fawkes unsuccessful attempt to blow up both Houses of Parliament on November 5th, 1605. It started when Londoners joyfully lit bonfires to celebrate that their King was still alive and the attempted assassin captured. Later on, fireworks were added and effigies of Guy burned on the bonfires.
Here's the wood piled in our communal garden directly below our window. The post in the center is where they'll place Guy for burning. (Sometimes I feel like just below the surface of the most consciously civilized city on earth lives the Beltane Wickerman.)
In anticipation of the day, children earn money for fireworks (or sweets) by dressing up a life-size effigy of Fawkes and carting him around the city, asking passerby, "Penny for the Guy?" Here's the one near my Maida Vale Station. (And yes, of course I donated.)
Can't wait til tomorrow.
Aline adds: For you poetry lovers, here is the full text of the little ditty - you usually don't see the second stanza because it is so un-pc, but I have included it because of historical interest.
Bill adds: Hey, Aline...please tell me this is something you looked up and not something you used to sing while skipping rope as a little girl. Otherwise, you and I need to talk. Real soon.
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
We see no reason,
Why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot!
Tomorrow is November 5th, and that means Guy Fawkes Day. The folks around here will celebrate with bonfires and fireworks, celebrating Guy Fawkes unsuccessful attempt to blow up both Houses of Parliament on November 5th, 1605. It started when Londoners joyfully lit bonfires to celebrate that their King was still alive and the attempted assassin captured. Later on, fireworks were added and effigies of Guy burned on the bonfires.
Here's the wood piled in our communal garden directly below our window. The post in the center is where they'll place Guy for burning. (Sometimes I feel like just below the surface of the most consciously civilized city on earth lives the Beltane Wickerman.)
In anticipation of the day, children earn money for fireworks (or sweets) by dressing up a life-size effigy of Fawkes and carting him around the city, asking passerby, "Penny for the Guy?" Here's the one near my Maida Vale Station. (And yes, of course I donated.)
Can't wait til tomorrow.
Aline adds: For you poetry lovers, here is the full text of the little ditty - you usually don't see the second stanza because it is so un-pc, but I have included it because of historical interest.
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
gunpowder, treason and plot,
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,
'twas his intent
to blow up the King and the Parliament.
Three score barrels of powder below,
Poor old England to overthrow:
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, make the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
Hip hip hoorah!
A penny loaf to feed the Pope.
A farthing o' cheese to choke him.
A pint of beer to rinse it down.
A faggot of sticks to burn him.
Burn him in a tub of tar.
Burn him like a blazing star.
Burn his body from his head.
Then we'll say ol' Pope is dead.
Hip hip hoorah!
Hip hip hoorah!
Bill adds: Hey, Aline...please tell me this is something you looked up and not something you used to sing while skipping rope as a little girl. Otherwise, you and I need to talk. Real soon.
posted by Bill | 6:37 PM
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