November 5, 2010

remember, remember

..the 5 of November!

Ol' Guy Fawkes
Today is Guy Fawkes Day.  A day of celebration for those in the UK.  Since I lived there once upon a time ago I celebrated it while I was there and have always tried to remember the holiday since.  and for those of you who don't know it is a celebration of the day Guy Fawkes and associates tried to blow up parliament.  He was caught before it happened so many see it as a day of thanks.. sort of like our Thanksgiving I suppose... The holiday is spent by having huge bonfires (often people burn doll like versions of guy fawkes) and fireworks.  When I celebrated it there I was in a little town called Whitam in the Essex area- we went to an entire festival the town was throwing with one of the biggest bonfires I have ever seen.  (This is also where I was introduced to Kate Nash's lovely music, as they were playing it over the speakers).

and here's the traditional poem they use:


Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent
To blow up the King and Parli'ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England's overthrow;
By God's providence [or By God's mercyhe was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Hulloa boys, Hulloa boys, let the bells ring.
Hulloa boys, hulloa boys, God save the King (Queen)!

And here's a great movie to celebrate the day...V for Vendetta


HAPPY GUY FAWKES DAY

2 comments:

Kat said...

Happy Guy Fawkes day, Kel! I'm sure Liz is beside herself in England right now. Last year she said she wanted to be a part of it all, and couldn't sleep due to the fireworks. I second your comment about V for Vendetta. Amazing movie.

Ben, Hannah, & Baby Jane said...

Thank you for paying respects for Guy Fawkes day. haha I would like to remind you that I was in the "armpit of Oxford" for Guy Fawkes day and what an adventure that was.
I miss you and I miss London.