Guysering) Play (P.T.Millington Collection (1973, A.Coleman - a)
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Transcription
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SELSTON - CHRISTMAS AND PLOUGH MONDAY GUYSERS (GUYSERING) PLAY
Noted 1st Jan. 1973 from Mr. Arthur Coleman, of Moor Road, Selston, Notts.
by Peter T. Millington.
(FTRST MAN)
I open the door, I enter in.
I ask a favour to begin
Whether I rise, stand, sit or fall,
I do my duty to please you all.
Make room, Make room, in the gathering gloom.
Make room and let us in.
We are not of the ragged set,
But of the royal trim.
Stir up that fire and cast a light
And see these juveniles act and fight.
If you can't believe these words I say,
Step in Bullguy and clear thy way.
(Bullguy enters, and there is fight between him and Saint George in which
Bullguy falls down wounded.)
( ? )
O George! O George! What hast thou done,
Thou's killed and slain my only son,
My only son lies bleeding here.
Send for the Doctor.
DOCTOR
In comes the Doctor.
A noble doctor too.
( ? )
How came you to be a doctor?
DOCTOR
By my travels sir.
( ? )
How far have you travelled?
DOCTOR
Italy, Sicilly, France and Spain,
Over the sea and home again.
( ? )
What have you seen on your travels?
(He then describes what he has seen and. what he can cure)
( ? )
How much will you cure my son for?
DOCTOR
Five pounds. But seeing as you are a poor man,
I'll charge you ten.
( ? )
Cure him.
DOCTOR
Here Jack, Jack, Jack, take a drop of my nick nack.
Let it run down thy tick tack.
Rise and fight again.
(He gets up.)
BEELZEBUB
In comes Beelzebub,
Over my shoulder I carry my club,
In my hand a dripping pan,
I think myself a jolly old man.
TOMMY TUT
In comes Tommy Tut,
Them as knocks me down 'll have to pick me up.
(LAST MAN)
My father's a blacksmith,
My mother's a weaver.
If you've any money to give us,
I'm the receiver.
Notes:- Mr. Coleman was born in 1885 and rembers Guysering as a boy (i.e. c.1895)
The Guysers (also known to some as Mummers,) went round at Christmas and
also on Plough Monday. Basic costume was blackened face and coat turned
inside out. The Doctor wore a top hat and carried a bag. The Guysers were
followed round by younger children, and these took such parts as Tommy Tut.
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