Bonfire Night Verse & Poetry
A collection of bonfire night and Guy Fawkes related verses , poems and poetry .
Lewes Bonfire Night Poem
Loudly passes the costumed procession
of the town's Bonfire Night tradition.
Crowds are drawn by the pageant's fame
when politics and religion go up in flame.
The cold moves us nearer to the fire,
to the Guy Fawkes on the tall pyre.
We cheer at the fall of this black tower.
Then we see above the first fiery flower
as the Lewes fireworks break on high,
like a peacock's feathers in the sky,
or so it seems in one child's sight
under the spell of Lewes Bonfire Night.
David Wilkins
Lewes Bonfire Poem
The Carnival held on the Fifth of November,
Is a sight if once seen you will ever remember,
Such rousers and squibs,
Such torches and fire,
Gigantic processions, fantastic attire.
Nor would we forget how it once was the scene,
Of the burning of Martyrs when Mary was Queen,
The truth which led them to die at the stake,
May the people of Lewes never forsake.
Bernard Whiteman
Lewes Bonfire Celebrations Poem
Bonfire Night T`is time for joy
Dress up now you girl and boy
Bring your rookies bring your smile
Line up now in orderly file.
Bright red flares pushing darkness back
Blinding many in a dance attack
Feet of many and hands held high
Lifting the torches in the sky.
Many costumes many shades
Walking steady in the haze
Sounds of drumming and of horn
Lewes has now been reborn.
Burgers filled with hot tender meat
Colourful people in the street
Drinking laughing singing high
Watching procession drifting by.
Down to the bonfire blazing bright
Push back the chill of winter's night
A faint sound echo's as if to start
A beat of music, a beat with heart.
The dark sky is filled with fires passion
The music is power with a fashion
Fireworks of colour light up the sky
Many sparks fly down as if to sigh.
Heads are looking up into the air
Eyes wide open many smiles they share
The music stops the cheering starts
Now they want more it's in their hearts.
Goodbye my friends for another year
Many years of laughter and of cheers
Thank you for bringing me a night full of love
And a night of passion coming from above.
The proud feeling of awe when watching this sight
Looking forward to it on a winters night
The Lewes bonfire celebrations will never rest
It will be always in my heart and always the best.
Original By Audrey Haney : Adapted By 
See Fletching Bonfire Night Poem Below
Bonfire season time for joy
Dress up now you girl and boy
Bring your purse bring your smile
Line up now in single file.
Firelight pushing darkness back
Lining in a dance attack
Feet of many hands held high
Lifting torches in the sky.
Many costumes many shades
Walking steady in the haze
Sounds of drumming and of horn
Fletching has now been reborn.
Burgers filled with tender meat
Colourful people in the street
Drinking laughing singing high
Watching procession drifting by.
Down to the bonfire blazing bright
Push back the chill of winter's night
A faint sound echo's as if to start
A beat of music, a beat with heart.
The sky is filled with fires passion
The music is power with a fashion
Fireworks of colour light up the sky
Sparks fly down as if to sigh.
Heads are looking up into the air
Eyes wide open smiles they share
As the music stops the cheering starts
They want more it's in their hearts.
Goodbye my friends for another year
150 years of laughter and of cheers
Thank you for bringing me a night full of love
And a night full of passion coming from above.
The feeling of comfort watching this sight
Looking forward to it on a winters night
Fletching bonfire celebrations will never rest
It will be always in my heart and always the best.
Audrey Haney
The Gun Powder Plot Poem
Some twelve months ago,
An hundred or so,
The Pope went to visit the devil;
And as, you will find,
Old Nick, to a friend,
Can behave himself wondrous civil.
Quoth the De'il to the Seer,
What the De'il brought you her
It was surely some whimsical maggot:
Come, draw to the fire;
Nay, prithee, sit nigher:
Heree, sirrah! lay on t'other faggot.
You're welcome to Hell;
I hope friends are well,
At Pareis, Madrid, and at Rome;
And ,now you elope,
I suppose, my dear Pope,
The conclave will hang out the broom.
Then his Holiness cry'd,
All jesting aside,
"Give the Pope and the Devil their dues;"
For, believe me, Old Dad,
I'll make thy heart glad,
For, by Jove, I do bring thee rare news.
There's a plot to beguile
An obstinate isle;
Great Britain, that heretic nation,
Who so shyly behav'd,
IN the hopes of being sav'd
By the help of a d--d Reformation.
We'll never have done,
If we burn one by one,
Tis' such a d--d numerous race!
For no sooner one's dead,
Like the fam'd Hydra's head,
Than a dozen spring up in his place.
But, believe me, Old Nick,
We'll play them a trick,
The like was ne'er hatched in France;
For this day before dinner,
As sure's I'm a sinner,
We'll burn all the rascals at onece.
When the king with his son
To the parliament's gone,
To consult about old musty papers,
We'll give them a greeting,
Shall break up their meeting,
And try who can cut the best capers.
There's powder enough,
And combustible stuff,
Inf fifty and odd trusty barrels,
Which will blow all together,
The Devil cares whither,
And decide at one blow all our quarrels.
But this was scarce said,
When in popp'd the head
Of an old Jesuitical Wight,
Who cry'd You're mistaken,
They've all saav'd their bacon,
And Jemmy still stinks with the fright.
Then Satan was struck,
And said 'tis bad luck,
But you for your news shall be thanked:
So he call'd to the door
Seven devils or more,
And they toss'd the poor dog in a blanket.
Watts, Isaac, Horae lyricae. Poems, By I. London, 1706
Light The Blue Touchpaper Poem
Carefully Guy carried the taper
and placed it against the pyre.
Ample amounts of petrol vapour
rapidly ignited the fire.
"Grand Commander Thrrp", said the underling
avoiding its superior's stare,
"They've lit another beacon. This time an intriguing
place they call Weston-Super-Mare."
"They must be aimed at us. I see no other design."
was the Grand Commander's view.
"Our primary goal is first contact. This is a sign
it's important to these creatures too."
"Fire up the translator. Initialise the empathy device.
Dress yourself in Earthling wear.
Ask the computer to determine appropriate technology advice.
Then land us in Weston-Super-Mare."
Guy stood, reigniting the taper.
The evening was on track.
With care he lit the blue touch paper
and then he stood well back.
"They're firing upon us!" the underling exclaimed.
"Report," ordered his superior.
"Multiple miniscule missiles. Not particularly well aimed
but a few have hit the exterior."
"Take evasive manouvres and get us out of here.
I want bombing altitude yesterday."
The underling pressed a few buttons, trembling in fear,
knowing how the Earthlings would pay.
But he finally said, looking at the planet soon to be no more,
"It may only be the leaders that are errant."
"Nonsense," said the commander, "We've seen their sort before.
They should have forced a change of government
Adam Gibbs
The Following Were Sourced From Nightime
Now boys with squibs and crackers play
And bonfires blaze turns night to day.
1677 Poor Robins Almanack
Don't you Remember
The Fifth of November
"Twas Gunpowder Treason Day,
I let off my gun,
And made'em all run.
And stole all their Bonfire away.
1742, Iona and Peter Lore and Language of Schoolchildren Oxford
Oh pile it up high,
For tonight... yes tonight...
When it blazes up bright
A traitor must die!
How he'll crackle and burn,
Our jolly old guy!
In the middle we'll throw him,
No mercy we'll show him,
The traitor must die!
Go, old ragamuffin,
Don't stop to ask why,
You know that the reason
Was Gunpowder Treason!
So, burn till you die.
19th Century Old Guy Fawkes
The fifth of November
Since I can remember,
Gunpowder treason and plot,
This was the day the plot was contriv'd
To blow up the King and Parliament alive;
But God's mercy did prevent
To save our King and his Parliament.
A stick and a stake
For King Jame's sake!
If you won't give me one,
I'll take two,
The better for me
And the Worse for you.
A penn'orth of bread to feed the pope
A penn'orth of cheese to choke him;
A pint of beer to wash it down,
And a good olf faggot to burn him.
1849 Halliwell's Pop Rhymes
Happy was the man
And happy was the day,
That caught Guy
Going to his play,
With a dark lantorn
And a brimstone match
ready for the prime to touch.
As I was going through the dark entry
I spied the devil
Stand back! Stand back!
Queen Mary's daughter.
Put your hand in your pocket,
And give us some money
To rekindle the bonfire. Hurrah.
1849 Brand's Pop Antiq
Remember, remember the Vifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
Pray tell me the reason why Gunpowder treason,
Should iver be vorgot.
Our Quane's a valiant Zawlger.
Car's her blunderbus on her right shawldewr,
Cocks her pistol, drays her rapier,
Praay gie us zummit vor her zaayke yer,
A stick, an'a styaake vor Quane Vickey's zaakye,
If e wunt gie on I'll taayke tow.
The better vor we an' the wrus vor you.
1890's English Folk Rhymes
Gunpowder treason!
Gunpowder treason!
Gunpowder treason plot!
I know no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fox and his companions
Did the scheme contrive
To blow the King and Parliament
All up alive!
But by Gods providence, him they did catch.
With a dark latern, lighting a match.
Hollo boys! Hollo boys! Make the bells rings.
Hollo boys! Hollo boys! God save the King.
1873 Unknown
My brave lads remember
The fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot;
We will drink, smoke and sing, boys,
And here's health to our King, boys,
For he shall not be forgot.
1827 Every Day book
The fifth of November, since I can remember,
Was Guy Faux, Guy, Poke him in the eye,
Shove him up the chimney-pot and there let him die.
A stick and a stack, for King George's sake.
If you don't give me one, I'll take two,
The better for me and the worse for you
Ricket-a-racket your hedges shall go.
1903 Stations of the Sun
Remember, remember, the fifth of November
Gumpowder treason and plot
I see no reason why Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot
A stick and a stake
For King Georges sake
Hollo boys hollo make ther town ring
Hollo boys hollo boys God save the King.
1903 Unknown
Guy Fawkes, Guy.
Hit him in the eye,
Hang him on a lamp-post
And leave him there to die.
Umbrella down the cellar
There I saw a naked fella
Burn his body, save his soul
Please give me a lump of coal;
If a lump of coal won't do
Please give me half a penny,
The up and down the Drapery
Round and round the Market square,
Guy Fawkes, Guy.
Unknown Lore and Language
A penny for the guy,
A penny for the guy,
A big umbrella
And a flashy tie,
The guy, the guy,
Pin him in the eye;
Stick him on a lamp post,
Don't let him die.
Source Unknown Opie
Cake, cake, cake;
Copper, copper, copper.
Oil aboiler roaster,
A bit of bread and toaster
Hole in my stocking.
Hole in my shoe,
Hole in my hat
Where my hair peeps through,
If you havn't got a copper , Silver will do.
If you havn't got a Silver,
God bless you.
July 1985, Student Joanne Frost, Bradfield Comprehensive school, Lore and Language, "Rhymes and songs for Halloween and Bonfire Night".
A banger, a banger, a boom, boom, boom!
A rocket, a rocket, zoom, zoom, zoom!
A sparkler, SSSSSSSSSSSHH.
July 1985, Student Eil Eady, Wisewood Comprehensive school, Lore and Language, "Rhymes and songs for Halloween and Bonfire Night".
Bang boom bing
God save the King.
Rat tit tatter
The sound of fireworks shatter.
Children play, children dance,
Around the Bonfire, in trance.
Penny for a Guy! penny for a Guy!
The ecstatic children cry.
November 2002, NightimeUK Online Publishing
Bada boom bada bing
God save Soprano, the King.
Rat tit tatter
The sound of gansters bullets shatter,
Onlookers glaze, onlookers glance
Around Guy's lifeless corpse, in trance.
Dollar for Paulie, dollar for me,
Toni promised dollars
To all who didn't see.
November 2002, NightimeUK Online Publishing
Guy, Guy, Guy
For the King you must die.
Guy, Guy, Guy
Say your everlasting goodbye.
With sticks and a stake,
Your life we will now take.
Hang him high,
Hang him low,
Then burn the wretched Guy Fawkes slow.
Scatter his ashes,
Curse his soul
For the demon in him
Took complete control.
November 2002, NightimeUK Online Publishing
Bonfire Night Poem
I watch the yellows and reds
Leaping up at the smouldering guy,
Oh the reds
Oh the oranges
The gigantic flames leaping higher than high
Then suddenly,
An enormous bang
Spilling wonderful colours into the night sky
Cathy Sinclair
Bonfire Night Poem
Look at the big Rocket, Mother,
Leaving burning, fairy flowers
Showering from the skies.
Watch the Roman Candle, Mother,
See it shoot and spark,
Why! There's fiery, golden rain,
Patterns in the dark.
Catherine Wheel, Oh, Catherine Wheel,
I love to see you spin,
Look at all the magic fire
Circling round the pin!
The sky is full of trees, Mother,
See their blossoms shake,
Painting all the dreaming air
Like a Magic Lake.
Oh, now look at the sad, old Guy,
He's very nearly gone,
His hat has toppled over,
But still he blazes on.
The Fireworks have all ended, Mother,
The Bonfire's nearly done;
But weren't the colours bright, Mother?
Didn't we have fun?
Shirley Frances Winskill 1987
The Following Are From Chilham St.Mary's Primary School
Bonfire Night Poem
Guy Fawkes is burning on the fire,
All the fireworks are getting higher.
Burgers, hotdogs and a portion of chips,
I’m licking the ketchup that’s all over my lips.
Smoke is starting to get in my eye,
But still I stare at the sky.
Whoosh Bang Sparkle Pop,
Will the fun ever stop ?
My toes are absolutely frozen,
Because of these shoes I had chosen.
The Catherine wheel sparkles on,
It’s so beautiful and pretty,
But soon it stopped , which was a pity.
Fireworks blue, green, gold and yellow,
I see as I roast my marshmallow.
I’ve got my woolly hat, gloves and a scarf,
And with my sparkler I start to laugh.
I’ve got that wonderful feeling
My sparkler was green,
It’s the best ever bonfire night I’ve had.
I’m freezing cold but warm inside me,
But at least I had my Dad beside me.
Fireworks And Fire Poem
Crackle crack boom and snap
Fireworks explode into the air,
They go up and they go down
Pretty lights up in the sky,
Fires crack, fires sizzle,
They keep you warm and dry from the drizzle.
Firework Night Of 2001 Poem
Fireworks bang
Bonfire sizzle
Laughter breaks through
A November drizzle
Sparklers burn down
Right down to the core
A sound of disappointment
But wait there is more
The fireworks ended
It’s time to go now
As the people hustle and bustle
In my head it’s still wow
AND I CAN’T WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!
Fireworks Poem
The 5th of November
You have to remember
The Catherine wheels went bang
And the others squealed and sang
On fireworks night
The 5th of November
You have to remember
The bonfire crackles with wood
Like it should
On fireworks night
The 6th of November
You have to remember
The lovely night before !
WOW !
Bonfire Night Poem
On bonfire night fireworks go bang in the sky,
The fire burns the wood and Guy Fawkes,
Bang, bang, bang, bang.
On bonfire night we watch the fireworks,
And play with sparklers as they burn,
I like bonfire night.
Fireworks Poem
Once a year they all go bang
Catherine wheels and golden rain
They crash, whistle, whoosh
Like plugs out of sockets
Off go the rockets
Look, off they go
Flying the sky to and fro.
Fireworks Day Poem
Yes it’s fireworks day
A really cool day,
The sounds make
Volcanic sounds,
They squeak, they sizzle
They whoosh and whistle
They crash like a comet hitting the Earth!
They’re technicoloured, They’re star like,
Yes it’s firework day!
Yes it’s Firework day
A really cool day
It’s the number one day of the year!
They appear then disappear like magic,
They explode like a dead star
Come on you’ve got to see them,
Yes it’s fireworks day a really cool day
Guy Fawkes Poem
Tatty and torn the Guy Fawkes stands perfectly still,
Wearing an old hat, jumper and trousers that were tatty and torn.
Rockets, Catherine wheels
And bangers hurt poor Guy's ears.
Guy looked up and saw everybody ignoring him and admiring the food and display,
this brought tears to his bulging glazing eyes.
Everybody started to leave,
leaving Guy Fawkes gleaming in the darkness,
half scorched by the flames,
We call a bonfire.
But the same time next year,
He will return as the one, the only
Guy Fawkes.
By Steven, aged 10 from Llangennech, Wales
Colours Poem
Bonfire night
The rockets explode with
gold yellow red
pink silver and white.
Jonathan, Class 4
Acrostic Poem
Bangers bang in the sky Boom !!!
Oh !! what lovely sparkles
None of the babies like the sound
Fireworks flash in the night
I watch the fireworks and fantastic flames
Rushing rockets rush in the air
Everyone comes to see them, WOW !!!
No one hates the shiny sparklers
I enjoy the spinning wheels
Going crack and kaboom all around
Happy children love the rockets
Toffee apples at the fireworks market.
Jade Class 3
Fireworks Poem
Fireworks go up
Fireworks go up
Please light up in blue
And light blue.
Conner Class 5
Alliteration Poem
Rockets Rushing in the dark
Sparklers Sparkling Siver and gold
Fierce and Fiery, what a display
Bonfire Burning Bright
Scarey Sounds up in the Sky
BANG !! BANG !! BANG !!
Remini Class 3
A Poem For Sparklers
Sparklers shine silver and gold
Sparklers spin round and round
It makes your eyes go funny
Sparklers spitting coloured fire
Sparklers can't always be safe
You need to wear some gloves
Sparklers are very nice things to watch.
Bianca Class 3
Fireworks and Food Poem
The firework goes bang
And the colours are
Red pink silver and yellow
You can buy hot dogs and toffee apples.
It's great
Russol Class 4
Acrostic Poem
Bombs go Bang !!!
Out of the window I watch
Noises make me frightened
Flames go very high
I am very happy
Rockets zoom
Everyone is looking at the fireworks.
Burhan Class 3
Alliteration Poem
Rockets Rockets go Round and Round
Sparklers sparkle glittery gold
Rockets Rockets Race around the sky
Sparklers sparkle, stars in my eyes
Rockets Rockets Rise in the sky
Look in the sky and you will see shining stars.
Sohie Class 3
In The Sky Poem
Fireworks go bang !
And go in the sky
And they go high
They are all different colours.
Jamie Class 4
Colours Poem
Colours
I like it when they fade away
They shine on my face.
Matthew Class 5
Fifth November Poem
Please to remember
The Fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot;
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy, guy, guy!
Stick him up on high;
Hang him on a lamp post
And leave him there to die.
Ladies and gentlemen you'll never grow fat,
If you don't put a penny in the old Guy's hat.
North of Boston Library Exchange Inc
Bonfire Night Poem
Fireworks go off -
Wake you up in the night!
Can’t sleep…
Too much noise:
Sparklers and rockets
Make you jump.
Colours - pinks and reds and yellows
Light up the sky;
My bedroom is dark -
The fireworks
Flash and
Light it up.
I remember -
Fireworks in the garden -
Read the instructions!
Baked potatoes…
My cup with my name on it and
Toffee apples,
Sitting on the wooden seat,
Keeping warm by the fire.
Little boys and little girls
Be careful!
They could get hurt.
They pick up bangers –
They might go off.
Keep dogs and cats
In the house.
Be careful: play safe
Or bonfire and fireworks
Will Be Banned.
Written by Lorraine, Angela, Ann, Alison And Eamon
BONFIRES Poem
I am on a hill backlit by stars,
I am alone,
I am surrounded by the raw heat
of humanity:
the dancing girls, the dancing girls with
bells in their hair
and mud on their stamping feet;
but I am only watching,
only standing beneath a singing tree
my hair whipping into my face
as the wind calls my name
calls me into the half sleep
I have no word for.
Only the world blurring into
spinning colors,
the drums going on in my chest
rocking my body
shaking the world as if it were hollow,
or turning inside out
inside me.
As a child I knew a word for
this
rising-unfurling-becoming light
as a child I knew the words of true
prayer.
Back then I still spent my days beneath trees
or more likely
up in their arms
dreaming.
But I have since forgotten the words, the particular
syllables
that translate transcendence into sound
but I still recognize my own pulse tripping
backwards past any sense of control
so that I am suddenly
falling
and find myself upon waking
sitting in the dirt
on a hill backlit by stars
watching bonfires burn long into the night
watching women with painted bodies dance until dawn.
SHANNON BELL
