P.T.Millington Collection (1971, T.Thorpe)


Main Variant

Transcription

BAGTHORPE/UNDERWOOD - CHRISTMAS GUYSERS PLAY

Collected 3Oth Jan. 1971 from Mr. Tom Thorpe of Brinsley Notts, by Norman
Couldry and Peter T. Millington.

OPENER IN I open the door, I enter in,
  I beg your pardon to begin,
  whether I stand, sit or fall,
  I'll do my duty to please you all.
  So room room brave gentlemen,
  Give us room to sport
  For in this room we wish to resort,
  And make known this merry eventide.

SAINT GEORGE I am Saint George of old England sprang,
  Many great deads and wonders have I made known,
  I followed a fair maiden to a giants gates,
  Confined in dungeons deep to meet her fate
  When I resolved in true knights cereny
  To burst the doors and set the prisoner free,
  When a giant almost struck me dead,
  But by my good valour, I cut off his head.

SLASHER I am a gallant soldier, and Slasher is my name,
  with sword and buckle by my side, I hope to win the game.

(Could be a piece missing.)

(They fight and Slasher falls.)

OPENER IN (?) Ten pounds for a doctor.

DOCTOR I am the doctor.

OPENER IN (?) What is thy fee ?

DOCTOR As I was coming down Bosington lane,
  I met a woman an dropped a jam jar
  and made her stocking bleed.
  I cured that.

OPENER IN (?) Thee'll do.

DOCTOR Here Jack, take a sip out of this bottle,
  And let it run down thy throttle,
  And if thou feelest not quite slain,
  Arise good fellow and fight again.

BEELZEBUB In comes owd Beelzebub,
  Over my shoulder I carry my club.
  In my hand a dripping pan,
  Don't you think I'm a jolly old man ?
  Cause if you don't, I do.

DEVIL DOUT In comes old Devil Dout,
  If you don't give me any money,
  I'll sweep you all out,
  Money I want, and money I crave,
  If you don't give me money,
  I'll sweep you to your grave.

(Hands put out for money.)

NOTES :- Faces were blackened, and Slasher was dressed as a soldier. The
itinery covered Bagthorpe and Underwood, and included the home of the local
Coal-owner at Felly Priory. Entry was without knocking. Words were practiced
in a poultry shed for about a fortnight before the performances.