Mon Nov 5, 2007 — by Shira Gregory

Remember, remember the Fifth of November

V For Vendetta - Based Upon A True Story

Today in 1605, Sir Thomas Knyvet, a justice of the peace, found Guy Fawkes in a cellar below the English Parliament building, involved in a plot to blow up Parliament itself. The day was later known as "Guy Fawkes Day" and served as an inspiration for Alan Moore and David Lloyd's graphic novel, V for Vendetta.

Yes, today the folks across the pond remember, remember the fifth of November in honor of a sense of independence and a shaking of fists at British authority. While we reserve fireworks for summery July 4th, today is their excuse to blow things up and set things on fire. Really, every country should follow some such tradition of blowing things up in good spirits, but in light of recent world politics, let's not go there. 

Or if we do, let's wear an awesome mask while we're at it.

Neil Gaiman, an ex-pat Brit, held an annual Guy Fawkes party at his home for many years. John M. Ford, Neil's favorite writer and good friend, once decided to write directions to that party, with great wit and style.

While we must omit the verse that actually gives directions to Neil's house, I see no reason the fifth of November (or John M. Ford) ever should be forgot:

AMERICAN GUY
(C'mon. You know the tune, whether or not you remember all the words.)

A long, long time ago
But it should be remembered
How it fell out on November five
Some nobles and a guy named Guy
Thought they'd make their oppressors fly
And there'd be revolution, by and by . . .
The commissary must have shivered
When all those herrings were delivered
Barrels in the basement
For Parliament's effacement
It was a bold, quixotic dream
(Though some say Salisbury's scheme)
Explosive treason was the theme
The day the fuse went out

They started singing:
Remember, remember, the fifth of November
It was a night full of gunpowder, treason and plot
I see no reason
Why a gunpowder treason
Ever, ever should be forgot
Ever, ever should be forgot

One day with Lord Monteagle's bacon
A note says, bangers have been laid on
Take a powder, signed, A Friend
The sort of hint that starts you thinking
With leaks like this, we'll soon be sinking
Knot the rope that marks the end
They thought rebellion had a chance
But no one got up for the dance
Guy bent but didn't break
Until Salisbury's stake
The bottom line could not be plainer
A round of trials and attainder
Divide by four with no remainder
The day the fuse went out
They started singing. . . .

I met a girl who fiddled fine
And she handed me some sparkling wine
(Outside, the champagne's always chilled)
Upon the kindling, Guy stands straight
As annually he meets his fate
The host ignites the fire, we watch it build
And in the yard we take our stations
Awaiting the illuminations
Foggy conversations
Then colored conflagrations
And the words we most admire to say
Light Blue Touchpaper, Get Away
They'll get a workout on the day
The night we light the fuse
And we'll be singing. . . .

-- John M. Ford

If you don't like that music, you can try listening to Shadow Gallery, a band who took their name from V's hideout. Shadow Gallery even has an album entitled Room V, after where V was kept at Larkhill.

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