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Friday
Sunday is Guy Fawkes Day, which commemorates the moment, in 1606, when radical Catholics were thwarted in their attempt to blow up King James and the British Parliament. The following poem, written in 1870, bouncily reports what happened.
I’ve only read about, never experienced, the November 5 celebrations. Apparently bonfires are lit, upon which are burned effigies of Guy Fawkes, the conspirator assigned to light the match.
The occasion is also known as “Bonfire Night.” Sometimes fireworks are involved. All in all, it’s a good occasion to gather around a fire when the weather is turning cold. Oh, and a good time to sing the following poem, which ends with a cheer.
Remember, remember!
The fifth of November,
The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
Guy Fawkes and his companions
Did the scheme contrive,
To blow the King and Parliament
All up alive.
Threescore barrels, laid below,
To prove old England’s overthrow.
But, by God’s providence, him they catch,
With a dark lantern, lighting a match!
A stick and a stake
For King James’s sake!
If you won’t give me one,
I’ll take two,
The better for me,
And the worse for you.
A rope, a rope, to hang the Pope,
A penn’orth of cheese to choke him,
A pint of beer to wash it down,
And a jolly good fire to burn him.
Holloa, boys! holloa, boys! make the bells ring!
Holloa, boys! holloa boys! God save the King!
Hip, hip, hooor-r-r-ray!
Public poems that can be chanted are good for bringing people together.
