Song of the Day - 5th November

Today's Song of the Day is, unsurprisingly, a song about Guy Fawkes Night, aka Bonfire Night, aka  Fireworks Night aka Gunpowder Treason Day.

Unless you slept through primary school (or happen to be from outside the UK) you're likely aware that today marks the day when the nation comes together to celebrate the thwarting of the Gunpowder Plot devised by Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators, who aimed to obliterate Parliament and King James I back in 1605.

This day is traditionally filled with dazzling fireworks displays and roaring bonfires, where we cast an effigy of Guy Fawkes himself into the flames, though, in more recent years, other notorious figures have taken his place.

What you might not know is that in the aftermath of the Plot, the government enacted an Act of Parliament mandating an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot’s failure.

We all know the verse:

Remember, remember!

The fifth of November,

The Gunpowder treason and plot;

I know of no reason

Why the Gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot!

But did you know there’s more to it than just that single verse?

As I delved into this topic while searching for poems to set to music, I uncovered a couple of longer versions that sparked my interest. I particularly enjoyed writing this one; it's such a fun song, and it even ends with a cheerful hip hip hooray!

Enjoy!

The Fifth of November

English Folk Verse (c.1870)

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 dope,

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!