The characters in this song date from at least as early as 1865 in a Lutterworth mummers play. There is also reference to a similar "guisers" play which was performed in Somercotes (where John Tams grew up) as late as 1945. It's interesting to compare the subject material to Ragged Heroes. This setting was written for The Rainbow, a film adaptation of the D H Lawrence novel, in 1989. The song appears on Keith Kendrick's album Well Seasoned so presents me with the dilemma of whether to transcribe it in a Derbyshire accent. Just put in apostrophes wherever there's an H! Sally remembers that "outdacious" was John's grandmother's word.

Bring 'im On

There's four on 'em here
Four actors bold
And they've come for to tell of a man
His name is Saint George, the champion of old
And he'll tell you the best that he can

Chorus
Bring 'im on with his ribbons
Bring 'im on with his drum
Bring 'im on while there's hope left to raise up the sun

And the first that comes in
Bold Slasher by name
He's an outdacious rogue you can see
And all his delight is to look for a fight
So beware for he might look at thee

Chorus

And the next that comes in
Saint George the bold knight
He's the valiantest hero of all
He fought fiery dragon and give 'im what for
And he's come to prove Slasher's downfall

Chorus

Well the next that comes in, the doctoring man
He can doctor you back from the dead
With his potions and pills he can cure all your ills
Be they bunions or bumps on your head

Chorus

Well the last that comes in
Old Bill-ze-bub
With his pan and his club he draws near
So spare him a copper or two if you can
And he'll bring you a happy New Year

Chorus

And now they've come on
To raise up the sun
To turn the year round is their plan, is their plan
And they've acted each part to the best of their art
And they've shown you the best that they can

Chorus