H.J.S. (1937)
Main Variant |
Transcription
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The Plough Boy's Play: A Version Hecorded
Today, the first Monday after Twelfth Day, is the festival of the plough.
For many centuries the first
Monday after Twelfth Day has
been devoted to customs in the
plough. Particularly in the North
of England this day, which marked
the resumption of work in the fields
after yuletide festivities, was
made a holiday with its own
rites and ceremonies.
"Plough Bullocking," the procession
of the plough through village streets,
revelry in motley garb, and a final
carousal at night all marked Plough
Monday.
Most important of all was the
Plough Boy's Play, which is still per-
formed in some villages in the North
and East Ridings. For centuries
the words of this play have been
handed down from father to son, and
no trace of it in written form has ever
been discovered.
This version of it was taken down a
few years ago from a family whose
predecessors had acted it from
memory for many generations. It
comprised four actors who blacked
their faces and borrowed their "pro-
perties" from the houshold ward-
robe.
The characters (in order of appear-
ance) are Beelzebub, King William,
Old Roger and the Doctor.
Beel: In comes I. Beelzebub
On my shoulder I carry my
club.
In my hand a dripping pan.
Think myself a jolly old man.
Jolly old man may I be.
I've three sons here as jolly
as me.
If you don't believe me what
I say.
Slip in King William and
clear my way.
King: In comes King William. King William is my name.
My sword and pistol in my hand I'm sure to win the game.
Old R.: Win the game you are not
able.
My back's made of iron, my
belly's made of steel.
My finger's made of knuckle
bone that'll make you feel.
Mince pies hot, mince
pies cold.
Knock a fellow down
afore I'se ten days old.
{Knocks down King William.}
Who killed that man?
Doc.: You did.
Old R.: Who send for a doctor?
Doc.: No doctor to be had.
Old R. Ten pounds for a doctor.
Doc.: No doctor to be had.
Old R.: Fifteen pounds for a doctor.
Doc.: No doctor to be had.
Old R.: Thirty pounds for a doctor.
Doc.: I'm a little doctor!
Old. R.: Who taught you to be
doctor?
Doc.: By my travels.
Old R.: Where did you travel?
Doc.: England, Ireland, Scotland,
Spain.
And back to Grannie's back
door again.
A little pig running up and
down the street
With a knife and fork in
his hand
Shouting, "Who wants
pork?"
I've a little bottle here
My grandmother gave to me
A thousand years ago.
Take a yard down yer
throttle
Jack rise and beg.
{King William comes to life.}
All: I am an old Roger with me
rags and me bags.
For the sake of the money
I wear these old rags.
Me hat is an old one, me
boots are all worn.
Me breeches are roven, me
stockings are torn.
Occasionally, instead of King
William the "hero"' was St. George.
Old Roger was sometimes known as
The Slasher. Various interpretations
of the story have been offered, the
most probable being that which
suggests that it protrays the yearly
wax and wane of Nature. It may, of
course, have had some obscure
political significance, the meaning of
which has now been lost.
HJ.S.
"Plough Stots near Selby 45 years ago. This Plough Monday custom has
been revived at Goathland." |
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