Christmas Play from Bursledon, Hants. - 1913-1916 R.J.E.Tiddy (1923) pp.192-194 91su40kc.xml mastermummers.org R.J.E.Tiddy The Mummers' Play Oxford, University Press, 1923, pp.192-194

Originally prepared for textual analysis during his PhD research on the 'Origins and Development of English Folk Plays' by Peter Millington (2002).

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Original spelling and typography is retained, except that superscripts, long s and ligatured forms are not encoded.

Line identifiers are those used for line types in the Folk Play Scripts Explorer.

 Bursledon Hampshire England SU4809 Col. 1913 to 1916 Christmas Christmass Boys Quack Doctor: Hero/Combat: Southern English Father Christmas Father Xms King George Turkey Snipe Doctor Little Johnne Man Slasher Soldier Bold Johnne Jack Tiddy's Note:

"Communicated by Captain Kettlewell. The manuscript, which is in an illiterate hand, is written as prose, but with occasional stops at the end of lines. Each speech down to nine inclusive is called a Part."

 01-Jul-1995 Peter Millington Scanned & OCRed 14-Oct-1998 Peter Millington Encoded 15-Sep-1999 Peter Millington Year of collection adjusted 15-Jan-2021 Peter Millington TEI-encoded Part I. Father Christmas In comes I poor old Father Christmas. Welcome or welcome not. I hope poor old Father Christmas will never be forgot He come wandering and tandering down from the city of London town he is just now turned into his 99 years of age. And he can hop skip and jump like a blackbird in a cage Room Room Ladys and Gentlemen an Room I do decray Walk in King George and boldly clear the way. Part II. King George In comes I King George that valent man of corage bold let their blood be ever so hot I quickly fetch it cold. Part III. Turkey Snipe In comes I turkey snipe Just come from these turkey lands all for to fight. I'll fight thee King George that valent man of corage bold If your blood be ever so hot I will quickly fetch it cold. Part IV. King George Oh you proud and pard and turkey snipe draw out your sword and fight. Pull out your purse and pay. For satisfaction I will have before you go away. Part V. Turkey Snipe No satisfaction will I give nor money will I pay you but your body I will have this night before I go away. Part VI. King George Oh you turkey snipe go home to your own lands to fight and tell the Americans what I have done I've killed ten thousand to your one. Part VII. Father Christmas Oh Doctor Doctor is there a Doctor to be found can quickly rise my noble son that lies bleeding on the ground. Doctor Oh yes there is a Doctor to be found that can quickly rise your noble son that lies bleeding on the ground. Part VIII. Father Christmas What is your fees Mr Doctor Doctor ten guineas is my fees. but full and fifty I will have of thee being a poor man and that I will have before I go away. Father Christmas No such money as that you will have of me. Part IX. Doctor Don't run away I will be satisfied with half of it. Father Christmas Well Doctor what can you cure. Doctor I have a little bottle in my pocket what we call elecome pain Whitch will cure the itch stich pausy and the gout Raging pains both in and out are leg broke are arm broke nect broke are his nose swelled as a tan leathern bottle I drop one drop on his head and one on his heart Rise up young man and play your part. Turkey Snipe how long have I been laying on this blessed floor I havee havee hagged I been draged I have been draged from door to door tomorrow morning at the Hour of five I'll meet thee King George if I'm alive. King George Oh turkey snipe go home to your own lands an fight and tell all what I done I have killed ten thousand to your one. Turkey Snipe Oh parden me King George oh parden me I pray Oh parden me for ever more and I'll be thy turkey slave home goes I with my strict discharge God bless the turks likewise King George. Little Johnne Man In comes I little Johnne man with a glittering sword all in my Hand. If are man wants to fight let him come on. Slasher In comes I the valent soldier bold Slasher is my name. With my broad sword and cutlash and buckle by my side I hope to win the game twas I that fought the fiery dragon and by those weary means I won the King of Egypt's daughter. Soldier Bold In comes I soldier bold As I was walking allong the road I heard great talks and Wonders of that man of corage bold let his blood be ever so hot I'll quickly fetch it cold. Johnne Jack In comes I little Johnne Jack with the wife and family at my back although I am so verry small I am the biggest Rogue amongest you all When I walks I walks abroad When I sets I sets at ease Ladys and Gentlemen give the Christmass boys what you please a pot of your good ale would make us whisel and sing money in Xms box is a very fine thing Roast Beef and plum pudding and Xms pie who likes that better than old Father Xms and I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I.