P.T.Millington Collection (1972, W.Kirk)
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SWINGATE - PLOUGH BULLOCKERS PLAY
Written down by Mr. W. Kirk, of 19 West Street, Swingate, Kimberley, Notts, NG16 2PP, on the 17/1/1972, in a letter to the Eastwood Historical Society, for Peter T. Millington.
THE LETTER:- To Eastwood Historical Society, Dear Sirs, After reading your column in the Eastwood and District Adv: about the Guysers, or Mummers or Plough Bullockers, I have have been sitting well back, and casting my mind back more than 60 years. And can well remember when I was a member of a party who used to perforn this little play, We used to call ourselves Plough Bullockers, I think there was five or six of us in the play. We used to black our own faces with a wax candle, and a cork. We used to dress in any old rags we could find, We hadn't any difficulty in finding old clothes, for in those days we had more of them than Sunday clothes.
I am sorry I cannot remember all that had to be said in the play. But each member had a little piece to say. The first member of the party to speak, would go upto a door, knock, and open it, then he would say,
I open the door, I enter in, I do my duty while I'm in, Wether I sit, atanda, or fall, I do to please you all.
One members name was Bel-ze-bub. When it was his turn to speak, he would say,
In comes Bel-ze-bub, On my head I carry a tub, In my hand a frying pan, Don't you thinkg I'm a jolly old man, A jolly old man I mean to be, For I've got three somes as big as me, One stops in, and one steps out, And in comes little Devil Dow't.
Then there was another playing the part of Farthing Doctor. He was carrying a quart bottle of water, which was supposed to be his medicine. He had the misfortune to drop it on the floo, and that caused quite a commotion. But it was all good fun.
We also used to sing.
It's money we wan't, and money we'll have, And if you don't give us money, we'll turn you out.
We also used to sing,
We shar'nt go home till morning. We shar'nt go home till morning. We shar'nt go home till morning. For you canna turn us out.
Those were the days.
We did'nt rnake enough money out of it to retire on, but we certainly had some fun. Sorry I cannot help you any more, but perhaps some other reader will be able to help you out.
I would be interested my self to hear the full play again.
Yours sincerely
W. Kirk.
SWINGATE (Continued)
When acknowledging Mr. Kirks letter, further information was requested concerning the tunes of the songs, adding that it might be possible to have someone tape record them from him. (Tnis has not yet been possible) The following second letter was received from Mr. Kirk.
To Mr. P. T. Millington 28 - 1 - 72
Dear Sir
Thanks for the letter of the 23rd. I was pleased to learn that the letter I sent to you contained a little bit of information that interested. you. Since I received your letter I have been trying to glfean a bit more information about Plough Bullockers. I have been in touch with several of my old friends, but unfortunately they couldn't remember any more than I have alreadY told you.
I'm afraid I slipped up when I said we used to sing that piece, (It's money we want etc.) We used to say that. But we did sing the other piece. We sharn't go home till morning etc. I don't know of any name to the tune that we used to sing, but it is very simple. Unfortunately I am not a music writer, or I would have wrote you a manuscript. I don't profess to be an organist, but I have an organ, and I can play the tune from ear. So if your friend would like to pay me a visit he will be very welcome. Then we could probably get it on the tape. I am usually at home in the evenings or if he prefered to come during the day, if he dropped me a card, I would make it my business to be in. I wish you every success when you go to the Gardeners to get the Plough Bullockers on the tape.
Yours sincerely
W. Kirk
NOTE:- The last sentence refers to the recording made by David Bland (from Leader Sound. Ltd.) of the Walker brothers at Kimberley in February 1972. |
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