Nottinghamshire Local History Council Collection (1960, A.W.Godfrey)
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Transcription
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BLIDWORTH SK 5855
Essay written by A.W. Godfrey (born 2nd JuIy 1882) of 46 Southwell Rd. West,
Mansfield, Notts, in 1962.
"The second Monday in January was Plough Monday, About 10
boys of the village, each had a part to play, training each night for several
weeks before. Plough Monday evening off we would go with black faces and
dressed in various home made costumes, a concertina for music, and lanterns to
light our way. Calling first at the Big houses, Rainworth Lodge, Fountain Dale,
Lyndhurst Farm, Ling Farm, and LittLe John Inn Fishpool.
The play we acted as I remember it went something like this.
No.1 In comes I never been before,
So many actors stands at your door.
Some can dance, some can sing,
By your consent they will walk in.
(No.2. comes in dressed as a colours serjeant for recruiting.)
No.3. (stuffed with straw)
In comes I Betsy Bellzie Bub,
On my shoulder I carry my club,
In my hand a whit leather frying pan.
No.4. (enters dressed as a Lady),
Bright and gay,
Good fortune & sweet charm,
But scornful I've been thrown away,
Out of my true loves arms,
He says if I don't wed with him,
You all must understand.
He will enlist for a soldier,
And go to a foreign land.
No.2 (to No.3) Will you enlist?
Ten bright guinees will be your Bounty,
I allong with me you will go.
Your hat will be trimmed with ribbons
Likewise cut the gallant show.
LADY Sings You see my love has listed & joined the grenadiers.
I don't mean to sigh for him or even shed 1 tear,
But I wlll let him for to know,
I have another sweethart & off with him I go.
(No.3 gets knocked out)
CHORUS £5 for a doctor.
RECRUITING SERJ. £1O to stop away.
LADY (weeping) Fifteen to come, He must come.
No.5. (dressed as a doctor)
In comes I a Doctor
I cure or kill.
CHORUS You a doctor? where did you travel.
DOCTOR Yes me a doctor.
I have been to Inty-me-Titty,
Where there is neither house, land or city,
A wooden church with black puddings for bell ropes,
Little pigs running up the street with knives & forks
stuck in their tummies, Crying out, who will eat me. I
ran full kick at one poor pig & broke his back bone against
his Belly button & I cured that.
? Clever doctor now try your skill on this man.
DOCTOR This man's not dead but in a trance,
He been living on green Potatoes this last fortnight
without salt. I will soon cure him.
Betsy Bellzie Bub recovers and the play ends with songs & music from the
concertina.
Then a collection was taken, Eaoh house we visited provided refreshments
for us before we set off walking accross the fields to our next call. We
continued for 3 nights walking many miles. From the Hutt on Nottingham Road to
Blidworth Dale and Blidworth Lodge farm and Game Keepers house Harlow Wood &
Fox & Hounds Blidworth Bottoms. Then we finished on the last night. We called
at the New Inn, the Bird in Hard, & Black Bull, Red Lion & White Lion also at
the invitation of friends in private houses including Heywood Oaks.
Afterwards sharing the cash collected between us."
[Notes]
BLIDWORTH Mr. Godfrey performed the play during 1895-1900 when
R.H.Whitworth was vicar. |
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