The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #168758   Message #4076097
Posted By: GUEST,CJB666
20-Oct-20 - 04:41 AM
Thread Name: Skeletons and Bonfire Boys
Subject: Skeletons and Bonfire Boys
Tried to post this to TradSongs (YahooGroups) but it was rejected.

I wonder if anyone has researched the songs of the Skeletons (forerunners of the Bonfire Boys of Sussex)?

There's a fascinating article here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-54251256

Menace to sobriety: When Salvationists fought Skeletons

"In response to the "soup, soap, salvation" slogan [of the Salvation Army], Skeleton banners read "beef, beer and bacca". Makeshift uniforms were cobbled together by the Skeletons, and the Salvation bands were drowned out by a cacophony of whistles, horns and drums wielded by Skeletons, who sang their own songs, often with obscene or threatening lyrics."

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