M.W.Barley Collection (1953, R.L.Kirk)
Version d |
Transcription
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IRONVILLE - GUYSERS PLAY
Collected in 1953 from the 1953 side of children.
DOOR OPENER I open the door, I enter in, I beg your pardon to begin, Whether we stand, or whether we fall, We'll do us duty to please you all. Saint George he was a fighting man, As all the tales did tell, He fought a battle long ago, And fought it wonderous well. And if you don't believe the words I say, Step in Saint George and clear the way.
SAINT GEORGE I am Saint George of old Englands bold, I won ten thousand pounds in gold. I followed a fair maiden to a giants den, Where entombed in her dungeon, awaiting her fate, The giant tried to strike me dead, But with valour, I cut off his head.
JACK SLASHER I am a gallant soldier, Slasher is my name, With sword and buckle by my side, All men do fear my name.
SAINT GEORGE Stand back Slasher, and let no more be said, For if I draw my glittering sword, I'm sure to cut off thy head.
JACK SLASHER Cut off my head? My head is made of iron, My body is made of steel, Arms and legs of Knucklebone, And no man can make me feel.
SAINT GEORGE Can't I make thee fear?
JACK SLASHER Not thee.
(Fight ensues, Slasher is wounded and falls, enter Tom Slasher.)
TOM SLASHER Oh George! Oh George! What hast'a done, Thou's gone and killed my only son. Send for a doctor, ten pounds for a doctor,
DOCTOR I am Doctor Brown, The finest doctor in the town.
TOM SLASHER What canst'a cure?
DOCTOR Th'itch, stitch, reumatics and gout, If a man's got nine devils in, I can fetch ten out.
TOM SLASHER Where'st'a been?
DOCTOR I've been to Italy, Sicily, France and Spain, But I've come back to old England for practice again.
TOM SLASHER What's thy fee?
DOCTOR Five pounds, But being as I know thee, I'll charge you ten. (To Jack Slasher.) Her Jack, Take a drink out of this bottle, And let it run down thy throttle, And when thou feelest no more pain, Arise and fight Saint George again.
(Fight is resumed, but Slasher falls again.)
JACK SLASHER Ouch! my back.
DOCTOR What's the matter with thy back?
JACK SLASHER My back is wounded, My heart is confounded, I shall never fight Saint George again.
BEELZEBUB
I'm old Beelzebub, Over my shoulder, I carry a club, In my hand a dripping pan, Don't you think I'm a jolly old man? Don't you think I've got any sense? Well if you don't I do. So put your hands in your pocket, And give us a few pence.
DEVIL DOUBT I am little Devil Doubt, With my breeches inside out, Money I want, and for money I crave, If you don't give me any money, I'll sweep you all to your grave.
NOTES:- There are many versions of the play, and each year it tends to get shorter, as the object nowadays seems to be, "Its' your money they're after." |
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