(Passed on by Paul Tarrant. It was sent to him by Howard Godfrey, who obtained it from the Ordish collection of folk plays.)

The following was sent to Mr E H Binney enclosed in a letter from Mr George Thomas, 20 College Street, Aberdare, dated January 1, 1902 as the local version:

CHRISTMAS MUMMERS

Characters:
Master of Ceremonies
King George
Jack Ding-a-Ling, follower of Robin Hood
Doctor
Belzebubb

MASTER OF CEREMONIES opens the door and steps inside:
I open the door and enter in
And soon the battle will begin.
Stir up the fire and make it bright
For in this room will be a gallant fight.
If you don't believe the words I say,
Step in, King George, and clear the way.

KING GEORGE enters: Here step I;
King George is my name.
My father killed a thousand men
And I intend to do the same.

JACK DING-A-LING enters: Here step I, Jack Ding-a-Ling;
From the corner I did spring.
My blood is hot, my temper good,
I mean to fight for Robin Hood.
Pull out your purse and pay,
Pull out your sword and fight;
I'll have my satisfaction
Before I go away.

(King George and Jack Ding-a-Ling fight. One is wounded).

MASTER OF CEREMONIES: Is there any doctor to be found?

DOCTOR enters: Yes.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES: By what travels?

Italy, Sicily, France and Spain,
All over England and home again.

(Doctor dresses wounds. Enter Belzebubb).

BELZEBUBB: Here step I, Belzebubb
On my shoulder I carry my club.
In my hand the frying pan
Am I not a jolly old man?

(Collection: Exeunt all.)

Extract of letter from Mr George Thomas: "The parts are taken by a band of boys. They perform in public houses, sometimes in private houses. The play seems to me to be a corruption of something more elaborate."


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Last updated 08 March 2010 . Copyright © 1999 Mari Arts.