Blidworth Plough Monday Play, c.1939

FIRST MAN

In, comes I, never been before,
So many actors standing at the door,
Some can dance and sonue can sing,
At your consent they'll all walk in.

SECOND MAN {Carrying a-big stick and a frying pan}

In comes I Betsy Bellzebub,
In my hand I carry a club,
In the other a frying pan,
To catch all the money I can.

THIRD MAN

In comes I Jack Steel,
My body's made of brass,
My belly's made of steel.
No man can make me feel.

SECOND MAN {Or possibly a fourth}

I can make you feel.

THIRD MAN

You can't.

{Third man is prodded and killed by the second man}

FIRST MAN

Five pounds for a doctor,
Ten pounds to stop away.

DOCTOR {Dressed like a doctor}

In comes I the doctor.

FIRST MAN

How did you become a doctor?

DOCTOR

I travelled for it»

FIRST MAN

Where did you travel?

DOCTOR

England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales.
I went to York and cured Old Mother Cork.
She fell upstairs backwards,
And made her stocking bleed.

FIRST MAN

What can you cure?

DOCTOR

Ipsy, Pipsy, palsy gout,
Pains within and pains without.

FIRST MAN

Can you cure this man then

{Doctor examines the third man}

DOCTOR

He's swallowed a horse and cart,
And can't get shut of the wheels.

{He takes out a bottle of water}

DOCTOR

He wants a drop of my Tiff-Taff,
Then he'll be right again

{Doctor lifts up the third man singing:-}

[MIDI music sound file] [ABC music notation]

Rise me lads it's time for listing, listing do not be affraid, [sic]
You will find all kinds of ribbons. Likewise kiss the pretty maid.

{All sing}

[MIDI music sound file] [ABC music notation]

 

 

[All]

Good master and good mistress, as you sit by the fire.
Remember us poor plough boys, A moor, a moor, a mire,
A moor. a moor, a mire. A moor, a moor, a mire.
Put what you like in our box. And a jug of your best beer.