This is a version from the play "The Meltonians" It dates from 1837 and may be the earliest version yet found. We need to track down Townshend the policeman. I have a feeling that he and the last line were added. This was a favorite song of Charles Dickens as remembered by his son Charles.


The Meltonians Verson Guy Fawkes Song

Lumber's   Song
Tune: Bow Wow wow

I'll sing a doleful ditty, Guy Fawkes the prince of Sinisters
Who once blew up the house, the King, and all his ministers.
That is he would have blown them up & folk will neer forget him.
His will was good to do the deed, that is if they had let him.

He straitway came from Lambeth Marsh & wish'd the state undone
Then coming over Vauxhall bridge that way came into London
That is he would have come that way, to perpetrate his guilt Sir
But a little thing prevented him, the Bridge it was not built Sir.

Then searching thro the dreary vault, at witching hour of night Sir
About to touch the powder train with portable gas light Sir
That is I mean he'd have used the gas, but was prewented
Cause Gas you see in James time it hadn't been inwented.

And when they caught him in the act & saw what he was bent for
Immediately to Scotland Yard the new Police was sent for
That is they would have sent for them, for fear of Guy's resistance
Only that the new Police they were not in existence.

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 & steady
Poor Guy they cannot kill again because he's dead already.

That Mr. Fawkes was ill advis'd there cannot be a doubt Sir
For if he'd left them to themselves, his wish might come about Sir
That is if he'd gone in the house & listen'd to the pother
He'd soon have seen the members try to blow up one another.


-The Meltonians R. B. Peake 1837, London,.Act Two, Scene I.