Remember, Remember the 5th of November.....

Immortalized in this nursery rhyme, the Gunpowder Plot is introduced early into the young minds of children throughout the United Kingdom.

Remember, remember the fifth of November, Gunpowder treason and plot. We see no reason Why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot! Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was his intent To blow up king and parliament. Three score barrels were laid below To prove old England's overthrow. By god's mercy he was catch'd With a darkened lantern and burning match. So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring. Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king. And what shall we do with him? Burn him!

Lyrics refer to Guy Fawkes - origins in 17th century English history On the 5th November 1605 Guy Fawkes was caught in the cellars of the English Houses of Parliament with several dozen barrels of gunpowder, Guy Fawkes was subsequently tried as a traitor for plotting against the government and then executed. The form of the execution was one of the most horrendous ever practised (hung ,drawn and quartered) reflecting the serious nature of the crime. This nursery rhyme served to ensure that this form of treason would never be forgotten hence the words " Remember , remember the 5th of November" sometimes referred to as 'Please to remember the fifth of November'. It serves as a warning to each new generation that treason would never be forgiven or forgotten. In England the 5th of November is commemorated each year with fireworks and bonfires culminating with the burning of effigies of Guy Fawkes (the guy) by children on the top of the bonfire. The 'guys' are made by the children by stuffing old clothes with newspapers to look like a man - it is traditional for British children to display their 'guys' to passers by asking for " A penny for the guy". The money received to be spent on fireworks for Bonfire Night (or Guy Fawke's night) celebrations on 5th November!

There is also another version of the rhyme.....

English Folk Verse (c.1870)

The Fifth of November

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!