Believed to be from Yorkshire/Lancashire border this is
a version I've sung for years. Watersons recorded it on Frost on Fire.


We come a-cob-a-coaling, cob-a-coaling, cob-a-coaling
We come a-cob-a-coaling for Bonfire Night

We come a-cob-coaling for Bonfire Night
For coal and for money, we hope you'll set right
Fal the ray, fal the ray
Fal the riddly aye dum day

Now the first house we come to is an old cobbler's shop
Wi' nowt in its cornice but an awd pepperbox
Pepperbox, ball of wax, morning to night
If you give us nowt, we'll tek nowt
Farewell and good night

Now me father is dead, he's dead and he's gone
Attention to his grave
Hello boys, hello boys, let the bells ring
Fire boys, fire boys, fire we sing!

The Fifth of November, we hope you'll remember
For gunpowder treason and plot
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot

We come a-cob-a-coaling, cob-a-coaling, cob-a-coaling
We come a-cob-a-coaling for Bonfire Night
We come a-cob-a-coaling, cob-a-coaling, cob-a-coaling
We come a-cob-a-coaling for Bonfire Night