Remember, remember!
The fifth of November,
The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
Guy Fawkes and his companions
Did the scheme contrive,
To blow the King and Parliament
All up alive.
Threescore barrels, laid below,
To prove old England's overthrow.
But, by God's providence, him they catch,
With a dark lantern, lighting a match!
A stick and a stake
For King James's sake!
If you won't give me one, I'll take two,
The better for me, and the worse for you.
A rope, a rope, to hang the Pope,
A penn'orth of cheese to choke him,
A pint of beer to wash it down,
And a jolly good fire to burn him.
Holloa, boys! holloa, boys! make the bells ring!
Holloa, boys! holloa boys! God save the King!
Hip, hip, hooor-r-r-ray!
English Folk Verse (c.1870)
Possibly most widely known in America from its use in the movie V for Vendetta, versions of the above poem have been widespread in England for centuries. It celebrates the foiling of Catholic Guy Fawkes's attempt to blow up England's Protestant-controlled House of Parliament on November 5th, 1605. Known as Guy Fawkes Day, Gunpowder Treason Day, Fireworks Night, and Bonfire Night, the November 5th celebrations typically includes the burning of Guy Fawkes in effigy.
Hmmmmm... another example of celebrating racism/ bigotry/ intolerance, but it is good to know the history of such things and learn from it, n'est pas?
Here's an interesting article from The Sun : CLICK HERE
They usually have bonfires in the BVI (everyone loves an excuse to party) but it is a rainy day.
So it goes...
