GUY FAWKES

I sing a doleful tragedy—Guy Fawkes, the Prince of Sinisters,
Who once blew up the House of Lords, the King, and all his Ministers;
That is—he would have blown them up, and folks will ne'er forget him—
His will was good to do the deed-that is, if they'd have let him!

Chorus- Bow, wow, wow
              Tol lol de riddle lol de rol lol de ray.

He straightway came from Lambeth side, and wish'd the State was undone,
And crossing over Vauxhall Bridge, that way com'd into London;
That is- he would have come that way to perpetrate his guilt, sirs,
But a little thing prevented him- the bridge it was not built, sirs.

Then searching through the dreary vaults, with portable gas-light, sirs,
About to touch the powder train, at witching hour of night, sirs,
That is—I mean, he would have used the gas, but was prevented,
'Cause gas, you see, in James's time, it had not been invented

And when they caught him int the fact, so very near the Crown's end,
They straightway sent to Bow Street for that brave old runner Townshend;
That is—they would have sent for him—for fear he is no starter at—
But Townshend wasn't living then-he wasn't born till arter that.

So then they put poor Guy to death, for ages to remember,
And boys now kill him once a-year, in dreary, dark November;
That is—I mean his effigy, for truth is strong and steady—
Poor Guy they cannot kill again, because he's dead already.

Then bless her Gracious Majesty, and bless her Royal Son, sirs—
And may he never get blown up, if to the Throne he comes, sirs;
And if he lives, I'm sure he'll reign, so prophesies my song, sirs—
And if he don't, why then he won't, and so I can't be wrong, sirs.- Bodliean Ballad Collection, Johnson Ballads 2539