The Bury Pace Egging Play
Adapted by Sue Bousfield
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The Full English The Full English was a unique nationwide project unlocking hidden treasures of England’s
cultural heritage by making over 58,000 original source documents from 12 major folk
collectors available to the world via a ground-breaking nationwide digital archive and
learning project. The project was led by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS),
funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and in partnership with other cultural partners across
England.
The Full English digital archive (www.vwml.org) continues to provide access to thousands of
records detailing traditional folk songs, music, dances, customs and traditions that were
collected from across the country. Some of these are known widely, others have lain
dormant in notebooks and files within archives for decades.
The Full English learning programme worked across the country in 19 different schools
including primary, secondary and special educational needs settings. It also worked with a
range of cultural partners across England, organising community, family and adult learning
events.
Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, the National
Folk Music Fund and The Folklore Society.
Produced by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS), June 2014
Adapted by: Sue Bousfield
Copyright © English Folk Dance and Song Society and Sue Bousfield, 2014
Permission is granted to make copies of this material for non-commercial educational purposes.
Permission must be sought from EFDSS for any other use of this material.
EFDSS is a Registered Charity in England and Wales No.3050999
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Contents
Introduction 4
The Play 5
Lesson Plan for Key Stage 1 and 2 11
Warm Up Lyrics: Hop, Hop, Hop 13
Bury Pace Egging Song: Lyrics 14
Bury Pace Egging Song: Notation 15
Biography – Sue Bousfield 16
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Introduction
up a ladder and down a wall, tuppence or
thre'pence will please us us all
Photo: Gavin Davenport
The Pace Egg Play is an English folk drama, traditionally performed by men and boys,
commonly known as a mumming play. Pace Eggers usually performed their plays indoors
and outside, on street corners, in public and private houses, markets and shopping
precincts, during the week before Easter and finishing at noon on Good Friday. There is a
‘Beginner’s Guide to English Folk Drama’ at www.efdss.org/resourebank which provides
further information about the wider genre.
Easter Sunday breakfast was often the first chance for people to eat eggs again after being
deprived of them for 40 days during Lent and many people all over Europe decorated their
eggs before eating them. Centuries before Christianity, eggs were used to represent the
great Spring Festivities with their celebrations of the rebirth of the land. Then because eggs
were an obvious symbol of continuing life, the early Christians adopted them to represent
the Resurrection of Christ and they were seen as an appropriate gift for Easter time.
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The Play At the sound of the Leaders Whistle, the players enter the performance area singing a
“Calling in Song” and form a rough circle. The performance is given in as broad a Lancashire
accent as possible and all actions are performed dramatically to the extreme. This particular
text is given in general English but if the reader should wish to see it written in dialect please
refer to the book by Eddie Cass (See references)
All The Players Sing
Here's one two three jolly lads all in one mind,
We've come a Pace Egging and I hope you’ll prove kind.
And I hope you'll prove kind with your eggs and strong beer
For we'll come no more nigh you until the next year,
Fol a dee, foll a dee, foll a diddle i dum day.
The Fool enters the performance area and introduces the play
I open the door, I enter in I hope your favour we shall win. So stir up the fire , strike a light
and watch my merry lads act tonight whether we stand or whether we fall we'll do our best
to please you all. So room room brave fellows all, give us room to rhyme we'll do our best to
please you all this happy Easter time and if you don't believe what I say.........Step in St
George and clear the way.
St George enters the performance area. He is dressed in his traditional white tabard with
the Cross on his breast. He wears a Gold helmet and carries a sword and a dead dragon.
He then declares...
In comes I this man of courage bold, with my broad axe and sword I won this crown of gold.
I fought this fiery dragon and drove it to the slaughter and by these means won the King of
Egypt's daughter. Show me the man who bids me stand and I'll cut him down with my right
hand
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Enter Slasher
In comes I Bold Slasher, come from foreign lands to fight. Come to fight St George , this man
of courage bold. If his blood runs hot, I’ll soon turn it cold.
St George responds to Slasher
Stand back Slasher and let no more be said, for if I draw my sword I’ll surely break thy head.
Thou speakest bold to such a man as me, I'll cut thee in small pieces and bend thee at the
knee.
Slasher replies
How can thou break my head ? My head is made of iron, my body made of steel, my hands
and feet are knuckle bone no man shall make me kneel.
St George challenges Slasher
Then draw thy sword and fight, or draw thy purse and pay, for life or payment I shall have
before we end this day
Slasher responds to St George's challenge
No life or payment shalt thou have for with my sword thy head I'll cleave.
St George draws his sword
Then here we'll settle who shall fall and sword to sword with thee I'll call
Slasher draws his own sword
Aye and sword to sword with thee I'll give to see who upon this ground shall live.
Slasher often makes a disparaging comment at this point on the age of the
carpet/cleanliness of floor etc depending on the performance area
St George gives his final warning
Then guard thy body and mind thy head or with my sword I'll strike thee dead.
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Slasher prepares to fight
One shall live and the other shall dee, this is the challenge I give thee
St George and Slasher fight with swords to much ribald encouragement from the crowd
and players until with a flourish, St George runs Slasher through.
The Fool re-enters the performance area and exclaims in anguished tones
Oh cruel knight, what hast thou done ? Thou hast wounded and slain my only son
St George replies
He challenged me to deadly fight, and never shall St George deny it
The Fool addresses the crowd
Oh is there a Doctor to be found , to cure this deep and deadly wound ? Doctor Doctor
where art thou ? My son is wounded to the knee, Doctor Doctor play thy part my son is
wounded to the heart, I'll put down a thousand pounds if e’er a Doctor can be found
Enter The Doctor
Aye there is a Doctor to be found , to cure this deep and deadly wound. I'm a Doctor , pure
and good, and with my right hand I'll staunch his blood.
The Fool addresses The Doctor
But where hast thou been and from where dost thou come ?
The Doctor replies to The Fool
Italy, Sicily, Germany, France and Spain, three times around the world and back again.
The Fool addresses The Doctor again
But what canst thou do and what canst thou cure ?
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The Doctor replies airily
Oh, All sorts of diseases, just what my physic pleases. The itch, the stitch, the pox and gout,
rheumatics in and pains without. Now !
He pulls a bottle from his pocket or bag and shows it to the crowd with a dramatic
flourish. The Bottle is usually Guinness or some other famous brand
I have a bottle by my side, its fame has travelled far and wide. The stuff in here is
elicampane, bring anyone back to life again, a drop on his head and a drop on his heart,
stand up bold fellow and take thy part.
The Doctor administers the medicine, Slasher is brought back to life and the players cheer
Enter Big Head, he may use the team shield to dance on if the floor of the performance
area is carpeted or polished
In comes I, I haven’t been in yet, with my big head and my little wit. With my head so big
and my wit so small, I'll dance a jig to please you all.
Big Head dances for the audience and leaves . Enter Beelzebub wearing a hat with horns,
he carries a club and a chip pan, he is wearing chains
In comes I Beelzebub, over my shoulder I carries a club. In my hand a dripping pan, don't
you think I'm a jolly old man ?
The Players great this with various ribald comments
Enter Johnny Jack, he wears three dolls strapped to his back
In comes I little Johnny Jack, I've two or three young 'uns on my back. Its your money we
want and your goodness we crave so we'll sing you a song and we'll take our leave.
The Players form a circle with Beelzebub in the middle. As they circle him the players touch
his club with their own stick to gain luck.
The Players sing
Old toss pot old toss pot old toss pot you see,
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With a bunch of blue ribbons tied down to his knee.
He's a worthy old man and he wears a pig tail
And his only delight is in drinking old ale,
Fol a dee, fol a dee, fol a diddle aye dum day
The Players reverse direction and sing
Jack the sailor killed his wife,
Cut her up with a carving knife,
Weep away, weep away,
Play the fiddle, we're all so gay, we're all so gay, we're all so gay
Play the fiddle, we're all so gay.
The Players reverse direction again and whilst continuing to sing leave the circle and form
a line ready to take their bows
Down in Bent's meadow there's plenty of bugs,
They jump in your pocket and out of your lugs.
We'll take a sharp knife and cut their heads off,
And we'll have a good supper of bugs head and broth,
Fol a dee, fol a dee, fol a diddle i dum day.
The Flayers take their individual bows
First there does step in, is our noble fool and lads if you believe me he's never been to
school.
Right fol ru a laddie right fol ru a laddie
Next their does step in, is our noble George and lads if you believe me he wears his mothers
drawers.
Right fol ru.........etc.
Next their does step in, is our noble Slasher and lads if you believe me he makes a good egg
smasher.
Right fol ru …..etc.
Next their does step in, is our Doctor Quack and lads if you believe me he cured poor
Slasher's back.
Right fol ru.....etc.
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Next their does step in, is our Beelzebub and lads if you believe me he’s ne'er seen
t'washing tub.
Right fol ru.....etc.
Next their does step in, is our Big head gay and lads if you believe me we're all going away.
Right fol ru.....etc.
Next their does step in is our Johnny Jack, and lads if you believe me next year we're coming
back.
Right fol ru....etc.
The Fool closes the performance
Ladies and Gentlemen ! Our play is ended and our money box is recommended, five or six
shillings won’t do us any harm, gold or silver if you can. So thank you very much and a
Happy Easter to you all.
THE END
Photo: Gavin Davenport
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Lesson Plan for Key Stages 1 and 2 Aim: To use the Pace Egging Song in a creative environment to study a
local custom.
Objectives
Develop historical language
Use the song to develop questioning
Understand how primary evidence can cause discussion/arguments and interpretations
Identify features of language used for a specific purpose
Make contributions relevant to the topic and take turns in discussion
Broaden their vocabulary and use it in inventive ways
To analyse words into syllables and other known words
Explore, choose, combine and organise musical ideas within musical structures.
Use a range of live and recorded music from different times and cultures [for example, from the British Isles, from classical, folk and popular genres
Warm up/Ice Breaker
Sing Hop, Hop, Hop - to experience a different type of singing than they are used to!
Watch the animation from Fun with Folk http://www.efdss.org/efdss-
education/resource-bank/beginners-guide/fun-with-folk#hop-hop-hop1
Main Song “Pace Egging” Full English Thomas Fairman Ordish
Introduce the idea of local customs that we still do all the year round (give & receive Easter Eggs, Bury Simnel cake, Carol Singing, Penny for the Guy, Bonfire Night, Putting up Christmas Trees and sending cards, Harvest Festivals etc.) and discuss why we do these things. Introduce the idea that some customs have nearly disappeared apart from a few people who keep them alive.
Talk about Pace Egging –its history, meaning and how long it goes back. Talk about the Pace Egg/Mummers Play and introduce The Bury Pace Egg Play.
Have a look at the play and read aloud. Perhaps using adult TAs, good readers and teacher?
Explain about the song which introduces the Play.
Sing the song.
Discuss the characters and discuss acting out the roles in exaggerated movements.
Recruit volunteers and sing the last song again with the volunteers acting out the parts.
Discuss the characters and whether we would see them in any town centre today.
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Who might we see?
Look at the structure of the song. Use a grid for the first verse. Suggest ways that the lines are linked
In groups, with an adult in every group to lead and scribe, try to write a new verse with a character from today.
Come back together and sing the verses that work. Perhaps act them out.
Resources
Computer & interactive board- fun with folk, Bury Pace Egg Play, Pace Egg Song, grid,
dressing up clothes -Toss Pot, Sailor, Soldier, Nan.
Suggested follow up
Perform the play to others
Design and make streamer hats
Design face makeup to disguise the actors
Find out if there is a Mumming Play traditionally performed near to you and invite the local team to perform
Paint Easter Eggs and design a basket
Blow eggs out of their shells
Find out about other places in Europe’s traditions for Easter.
Study Faberge Eggs
Try using traditional dyes such as boiling a white egg in water with onion skins, beetroot or cochineal after wrapping a fern leaf around the egg (fastened in place inside a pair of tights). This should leave a brightly dyed egg with a fern leaf print on it.
Write your own play using different characters based on a different well known story (Snow White would be good because of the death and resurrection theme)
Punch and Judy puppet plays are also loosely based on a similar theme and are from a similar background so perhaps you could perform your play using finger or real puppets.
Design a poster advertising the play.
Find out by asking older people, especially in your own family, about local traditions, songs and games they remember from their childhood.
Discuss whether you think these customs have any value in modern society. Should they be continued or saved?
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Warm Up: Hop, Hop, Hop This song was collected from Richard Hall of Itchen Abbas. The song tells of a gardener
and ploughman discussing which of them is of greater value to society.
Hop, hop, hop to the butcher’s shop
I dare not stay no longer
For if I do my mother will say
I’ve been playing with the girls down yonder
Chorus
Early in the morning, early in the morning
Early in the morning, before the break of day
I’ll tell my ma of our Mary Ann
Going down the street with a nice young man
Laced up boots and a feather in her hat
That’s the way she gets her chap
I made you look, I made you stare
I made the barber cut your hair
He cut it long, he cut it short
He cut it with a knife and fork
Sam, Sam the dustbin man
Washed his face in a frying pan
Combed his hair with a donkey’s tail
Scratched his belly with his big toe nail
You know last night and the night before
Three tom cats came knocking at the door
One had a fiddle, one had a drum
One had a pancake stuck to his bum
Watch the Hop, Hop, Hop animation at http://www.efdss.org/efdss-education/resource-
bank/beginners-guide/fun-with-folk#hop-hop-hop1
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Bury Pace Egging Song: Lyrics Here’s one two three jolly boys all in one mind
We’ve come a pace –egging and I hope you prove kind.
I hope you prove kind with your eggs and strong beer
We’ll no more come nigh you until the next year
The first that comes in Old Toss Pot you see
He’s a valiant old laddie in ev’ry degree
He’s a valiant old lad and he wears a pigtail
And all his delight is in drinking mould ale
Chorus
The next that comes in is a jolly Jack Tar
He sailed with Lord Nelson during the last war
He’s arrived from the sea Old England to view
And he’s come a pace egging with our jolly crew.
Chorus
So the next that you see is a soldier you see
With a bunch of blue ribbons right down to his knee
He’s a star on his breast which like silver does shine
And I’ll hope you remember it’s Pace Egging time!
Chorus
So the last to come in is old Nan with her bag
For the sake of her money she wears an old rag
She’s as ragged as a sheep and as poor as a crow
And she says she will follow us where-ever we go.
Chorus
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Bury Pace Egging Song: Notation Notation from the Digital Tradition
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Sue Bousfield Sue Bousfield has over 35
years experience in
classroom teaching – mainly
primary and mostly Key stage
2. During that time she has
used folk song, dance,
drama, music, stories and
crafts with children both
inside and outside the
classroom to enhance
creativity and to foster an
enjoyment of the activities
themselves
She has been a Folk Singer
for over 40 years mainly as part of the female duo Scolds Bridle appearing at folk
clubs and festivals - nationally and internationally. Working with local historians Sue
has researched local history and used folk song to enhance productions for theatre,
radio documentaries (Radios, 2, 4, and Lancashire) and lectures. She has toured
nationally with a presentation called We Are the Women Left on the Shore, a lecture
about the lives of deep sea fishermen’s families combined with songs written by a
local historian, Ron Baxter.
Sue is an undefeated Clog Step Champion Dancer in the Lancashire and Cheshire
Style having competed, performed and taught at many major events and is also a
regular Morris Dancer in the Singleton Cloggers North West Morris Team.
Sue has worked, in schools, for the English Folk Dance and Song Society on both
the Take Six and The Full English projects.
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