M.W.Barley Collection (1937)
Main Variant |
Transcription
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W. Halton, Lincs.
PLOUGH JAGS.
The gang included Besom Betty, Doctor, Soldier, Hobby Horse
Gentleman, Fool, Lady, Indian King and Beelzebub.
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The Fool knocks at the door and enters:
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen,
I give you a bold call,
As Xmas time's a merry time
I've come to see you all
So do not be offended
At what I've got to say
There'll be a few more of my pals
Will come along this way."
Soldier: "I'm a recruiting sergeant
Arriving here just now,
I make it my duty to list all
That follow horse cart waggon or plough."
Beelzebub. "In comes old Beelzebub
Under my arm I carry a club
In my hand a frying pan
Dont you think I'm a jolly old man,"
Hobby Horse: "In comes I...........................
If you were as hungry as my horse is dry
He would like a sup of your best ale
And I should like a bit of your best pork pie."
Lady: "I am a lady bright and fair
and continues a speech in which she says "she
has been rejected" .
Then follows the Fool who makes a speech to the
Lady and taking her arm says "It's me you want".....
Indian King: "Clear out my lads
Let me come in
For I'm the chap called Indian King
They've all been trying me to slay
But I'm alive this very day"
Fool: "Oh slisher and slasher dont thou be so hot
For in this room thou does'nt know what I've got
For of my sword point there is no doubt
And if thou likes we'll fight it out."
There then follows a fight in which the Indian King
is hurt and he falls to the ground.
Someone calls: "Five pounds for a doctor.
Doctor: "I wheant come under ten pounds",
The Fool: "Fifteen to come in a case like this".
Doctor: "In comes I the doctor."
The Fool: "How became you a doctor.
Doctor: "I travelled for it".
Someone: "Where did you travel?"
Doctor: "Out of England into France.
Out of France into Spain.
Over the hills and back again".
The Fool: "What diseases can you cure?"
Doctor: "Hipsey pipsey, palsey and gout
Pains within and pains without
Heal the sick and cure the lame
Raise the dead to life again".
Doctor: "This man's not dead he's in a trance.
Rise up Jack and we'll have a dance."
They then dance with each other and anyone
else in the house until in comes Jane.
Jane: "In comes Jane with a neck as long as a crane.
A wig behind and a wig before
Clear out lads and I'll Sweep the floor.
They all go out singing:-
"Good master and good mistress
As you sit by the fire
Remember us poor plough boys
That plough the muck and mire
The muck it is so nasty
The mire it is so strong
So remember us poor plough boys
As ploughs the fields along."
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Costumes.
Besom Betty. Shawl over head, old blouse, old skirt, besom.
Lady. Nicely dressed.
Doctor. Top hat.
Hobby horse. Hobby horse - pins in its tail to prevent people
pulling it.
Soldier. Red coat.
Gentleman.
Fool.
Indian King.
Beelzebub.
Jane. |
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