Apropos of Nothing, Regarding November 5 [View all]

[hotellanai1986]

I have been feeling numb since midnight. Sleep was very fitful along with most of my sorority sisters and other friends. I think we all join tens of thousands of people in the "Fitful Sleep Last Night" Boat. But in the past hour I have felt hopeful. Yes, I have heard about the 20 million odd votes that are missing but just before hearing of that, I was thinking something that I read on social media and DU over and over again at midnight, "Something is not right." Repeatedly, that phrase and variations flooded the internet and something is really in the Zeitgeist, as they say. This old poem, studied in middle school came to mind and I would like to share it. I think it has some portentous meaning (actually, I think it has a shipload of portentous meaning). Please take the poem figuratively. I realize that we're in the US and not merry old England. Enjoy!

The Fifth of November
English Folk Verse (c.1870)

Remember, remember!
The fifth of November,
The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
Guy Fawkes and his companions
Did the scheme contrive,
To blow the King and Parliament
All up alive.
Threescore barrels, laid below,
To prove old England's overthrow.
But, by God's providence, him they catch,
With a dark lantern, lighting a match!
A stick and a stake
For King James's sake!
If you won't give me one,
I'll take two,
The better for me,
And the worse for you.
A rope, a rope, to hang the Pope,
A penn'orth of cheese to choke him,
A pint of beer to wash it down,
And a jolly good fire to burn him.
Holloa, boys! holloa, boys! make the bells ring!
Holloa, boys! holloa boys! God save the King!
Hip, hip, hooor-r-r-ray!