The first deadline for trying to get Bertha together has arrived - which is more than the cotton to finish her has done. We are still on stop while we wait for the reels to come through the door.
Most items arrive next day these days so it really becomes noticeable when something takes a more traditional week to be sent.
But the coffee morning for the Inner Wheel will be held in blazing sunshine - so no need for the tent, abnd therefore there is no harm in the short delay..
Meanwhile, I have an appointment in Hartlepool where I will be playing the Organ this evening. A place I have not been to before - but am reliably informed involves hanging a monkey.... Seems only right that I take the Bothy for a run...
The Monkey Hanging Story
The monkey-hanging legend is the most famous story connected with Hartlepool. During the Napoleonic Wars a French ship was wrecked off the Hartlepool coast.
During the Napoleonic Wars there was a fear of a French invasion of Britain and much public concern about the possibility of French infiltrators and spies.
The fishermen of Hartlepool fearing an invasion kept a close watch on the French vessel as it struggled against the storm but when the vessel was severely battered and sunk they turned their attention to the wreckage washed ashore. Among the wreckage lay one wet and sorrowful looking survivor, the ship’s pet monkey dressed to amuse in a military style uniform.
The fishermen apparently questioned the monkey and held a beach-based trial. Unfamiliar with what a Frenchman looked like they came to the conclusion that this monkey was a French spy and should be sentenced to death. The unfortunate creature was to die by hanging, with the mast of a fishing boat (a coble) providing a convenient gallows.
The Monkey Song
In former times, when war and strife
The French invasion threaten’d life
An’ all was armed to the knife
The Fisherman hung the monkey O !
The Fishermen with courage high,
Siezed on the monkey for a French spy;
“Hang him !” says one; “he’s to die”
They did and they hung the monkey Oh!
They tried every means to make him speak
And tortured the monkey till loud he did speak;
Says yen “thats french” says another “its Greek”
For the fishermen had got druncky oh!
Hammer his ribs, the thunnerin thief
Pummel his pyet wi yor neef!
He’s landed here for nobbut grief
He’s aud Napoleon’s uncky O!
Thus to the Monkey all hands behaved
“Cut off his whiskers!” yen chap raved
Another bawled out “He’s never been shaved”,
So commenced to scrape the Monkey, O!
They put him on a gridiron hot,
The Monkey then quite lively got,
He rowl’d his eyes tiv a’ the lot,
For the Monkey agyen turned funky O!.
Then a Fisherman up te Monkey goes,
Saying “Hang him at yence, an’ end his woes,”
But the Monkey flew at him and bit off his nose,
An’ that raised the poor man’s Monkey O!
In former times, mid war an’ strife,
The French invasion threatened life,
An’ all was armed to the knife,
An’ all was armed to the knife,
The Fishermen hung the Monkey O!
The Fishermen wi’ courage high,
Seized on the Monkey for a spy,
“Hang him” says yen, says another,”He’ll die!”
They did, and they hung the Monkey O!. They tortor’d the Monkey till loud he did
squeak
squeak
Says yen, “That’s French,” says another “it’s Greek”
For the Fishermen had got drunky, O!
“He’s all ower hair!” sum chap did cry,
E’en up te summic cute an’ sly
Wiv a cod’s head then they closed an eye,
Afore they hung the Monkey O!.
well here's hoping they don't hang Welshmen .....
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