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Archiver > DERBYSGEN > 2000-05 > 0958129891


From: "P Slater & E K Sellors" <>
Subject: Re: [DBY] Derby Tup
Date: Fri, 12 May 2000 12:11:31 +0100
References: <8090D4A277CED311877400600856B86B7ACC@mail.hip-bodycote.co.uk>


The 'Tup' is a very old Derbyshire 'Mumming Play', usually performed in the
north of the county. Last year I and others of the Derby Heritage Centre
performed the play in the pubs around Derby and collected for 'Children in
Need'. This we believe was the first time the 'Tup' had been seen in the
City for many years but, due to complaints from purists who believe the play
should only be performed in Chesterfield etc, is likely to be the last. I
believe the original intention was that a group of locals would go round the
villages performing the play and collecting beer money.

I have mailed our script for the play direct to Malcolm but if anyone else
wants a copy please let me know. The play which should be acted and sung
'tongue in cheek' with lots of asides and adlibs.

The 'Tup' is not to be confused with the similar 'Derby Ram' song although I
believe both have a common origin.
Dancing Doug Porter has a wealth of research material on the subject of the
'Ram' and, I'm sure, will only be pleased to answer more detailed questions.

Regards
Paul Slater
Derby UK


----- Original Message -----
From: Malcolm Godber <>
To: <>
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2000 8:35 AM
Subject: [DBY] Derby Tup


> Excuse me rambling but I want to set the scene. I am old enough (just) to
> remember rationing, and was raised in a fairly deprived background. We
lived
> in a "yard" which for the uninitiated was a communal square surrounded by
> two up/two down, terraced houses. My parents were members of the local
"pig
> club" and saved all the kitchen waste, which went into the pig bin, a
rather
> smelly receptacle outside the back door. Once a week this bin was emptied
by
> the "pig man" to make swill, (and you think dust bin men have a dirty
job?).
> At the end of the year, in time for the Christmas period, they were
> presented with a ham from the slaughtered pig(s).
> I guess around 1950, it was must have been our turn to host the New Year
> celebrations which was no mean feat, what with the rationing and all, and
I
> clearly remember my dad going into the cellar to shore up the floor above
> because it was sagging with the number of people in the room. As well as
the
> "first footing" we were visited by three "actors", dressed as a man, a
woman
> and a sheep, who proceeded to recite The Derby Tup. I think the first two
> lines were
> Ere cums me an my owd lass
> Short o munny, short o brass.
> I only ever saw it the once and wondered what was the reasoning behind it?
> Has anyone out there any info on this?
> Malcolm in Chesterfield
>
>
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