Del Boy

I guess you know then that we still celebrate this every Nov 5th . But until very recent years it was always celebrated as a giant event, with huge bonfires all over the country, lots built in the streets, piled up as big as houses, and smaller fires in peoples' back gardens. On the very top went stuffed figures of Guy Fawkes. All done by the people as individuals, no public organising etc., all off the cuff , locals joining in together at the moment and the kids taking a big part. Once when my kids were small I had to drag Guy off, because they were upset - they recognised he was wearing my old clothes. Fireworks exploded all over town, on the streets, kids causing general mayhem with bangers and jumping jacks and having a great time for a couple of days. For some weeks before poor kids pushed prams or carts around with effigies of Guy, asking Penny for the Guy, so that they could collect fire-work money.

Historically of course, Guy went to the rack. So indeed we did always remember the fifth of November.

Here's another traditional street song and dance that always appeared on festive street occasions in London.

Sons of the Sea
All British born
Sailed every ocean
Laughing foes to scorn.

They can build their ships my lads
Think they know the game
But they can't beat the boys of the Bull-Dog breed
Who made old England's game.