The Bury Pace Egging Play

The Bury Pace Egging Play

Adapted by Sue Bousfield

Unlocking hidden treasures of England’s cultural heritage

Explore | Discover | Take Part

www.efdss.org 2

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



www.efdss.org 3

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



www.efdss.org 4

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.

http://www.efdss.org/resourebank



www.efdss.org 5

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

http://burypaceeggers.co.uk/index.php/bury-pace-egg-play-researched-alan-seymore/



www.efdss.org 6

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.



www.efdss.org 7

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 ?



www.efdss.org 8

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,



www.efdss.org 9

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.



www.efdss.org 10

Next their does step in, is our Beelzebub and lads if you believe me he’s ne'er seen

t'washing tub.


Next their does step in, is our Big head gay and lads if you believe me we're all going away.


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



www.efdss.org 11

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.



www.efdss.org 12

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?



www.efdss.org 13

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

http://www.efdss.org/efdss-education/resource-bank/beginners-guide/fun-with-folk%23hop-hop-hop1

http://www.efdss.org/efdss-education/resource-bank/beginners-guide/fun-with-folk%23hop-hop-hop1



www.efdss.org 14

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



www.efdss.org 15

Bury Pace Egging Song: Notation Notation from the Digital Tradition



www.efdss.org 16

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.



www.efdss.org 17

Documents

The Bury Pace Egging Play