remember

It is the 5th of November today and bonfire night in the UK. A charming tradition where we burn an effigy of a man who tried to blow up parliament in 1605 and was hung, drawn and quartered for his crimes. A bizarre way to remember in such an event but that is what we do and it has its own rhyme associated with it. I knew the first few lines but just looked up the rest of it.

Remember, remember the 5th of November,
The gunpowder treason, the plot,
I know of no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Forkes, Guy Forkes, t'was his intent
To blow up king and parliament.
Three score barrels of powder below
To prove Old England's overthrow;
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God Save the King!

A penny loaf to feed the Pope
A farthing o' cheese to choke him.
A pint of beer to rinse it down.
A faggot of sticks to burn him.
Burn him in a tub of tar.
Burn him like a blazing star.
Burn his body from his head.
Then we'll say ol' Pope is dead.
Hip hip hoorah!
Hip hip hoorah hoorah!

I must admit i wasn't expecting so much Pope burning in the second verse. Apparently the second verse isn't sung much anymore.