(A preface to this blog: I'm sorry, I just couldn't help myself. I tried to think of another topic I could write about, but... I couldn't help it. I just NEED to address this. For my own sake. So please just bear with me.)
"HAPPY GUY FAWKES DAY!' Can I say how irritating this has become? Frustrating to me, as one who loves LOVES history and loves LOVES England, that Americans have completely misconstrued this 'holiday'.
Did you know that this British 'holiday' is not celebrating Guy Fawkes, but rather his death? He committed treason. And was consequently hung, drawn and quartered - the most horrendous and humiliating of executions. This day is a reminder that treason will not be tolerated. Ugh how Americans have taken this to rally behind the underdog - Hooray for anarchy! Stick it to the man! Ummm... no. That's not what this is about. The bonfires are used to burn his effigy, not to commemorate what might have happened had his 'gunpowder plot' been successful.
Consider for yourself.
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, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli'ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England's overthrow;
By God's mercy he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
And what should we do with him? Burn him!
"I know of no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot." Oh, it's been forgot all right.
P.S. I don't mean to be preachy, I honestly don't. But... come on. I find it sad when people celebrate the idea of anarchy. Romans 13:1-4.
