英国烟火节来历

发生于1605年的火药阴谋(Gunpowder Plot)是一群亡命的英格兰乡下天主教极端分子试图炸掉英国国会大厦，并杀掉正在其中进行国会开幕典礼(State Opening of Parliament)的英国国王詹姆士一世和他的家人及大部分的新教贵族的一次并未成功的计划。这次事件代表了又一次的以1603年的主要阴谋(Main Plot)和次要阴谋(Bye Plot)为先例的一系列失败的弑君企图。

    每年的11月5日，英国人以大篝火之夜(即焰火之夜或盖伊·福克斯之夜)来庆祝阴谋被粉碎。和这个节日十分接近的基督教前古代凯尔特人节日(Samhain Eve)也是比较著名的。

    这个阴谋故事在民间歌谣中永为流传：

    Remember, remember the fifth of November,

    gunpowder, treason and plot,

    I see no reason why gunpowder treason

    should ever be forgot.

    Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,

    'twas his intent

    to blow up the King and the Parliament.

    Three score barrels of powder below,

    Poor old England to overthrow:

    By God's providence he was catch'd

    With a dark lantern and burning match.

    Holloa boys, holloa boys, make the bells ring.

    Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

    Hip hip hoorah!

    (从传统上讲，以下的词句也要唱，但由于内容原因而被省略)

    A penny loaf to feed the Pope.

    A farthing o' cheese to choke him.

    A pint of beer to rinse it down.

    A faggot of sticks to burn him.

    Burn him in a tub of tar.

    Burn him like a blazing star.

    Burn his body from his head.

    Then we'll say ol' Pope is dead.

    Hip hip hoorah!

    Hip hip hoorah!