One thing the monasteries gave Bath is often forgotten; St Peter’s fair in 1106, the first street celebration in Bath with jugglers, musicians, fire swallowers, mummers, tightrope artists, food, drink and toy stalls, and of course, tourists, who thronged the streets around the Abbey in noisy celebration…and still do…
1106
ST PETER’S FAIR SONG
Piercing the darkness of the narrow streets,
One by one,
Candles glow.
Damp cobbles feel the slap of leather feet
Two by two,
People go.
Tall shadows dance as the torches pass
Ten by ten
Crowds grow
In city squares..
Piercing the darkness of the narrow streets,
One by one,
Candles glow.
Damp cobbles feel the slap of leather feet
Two by two,
People go.
Tall shadows dance as the torches pass
Ten by ten
Crowds grow
In city squares..
St Peter’s Fair is here!
The high time of the year!
St Peter’s Fair is here!
The high time of the year!
(Jugglers)
Catch the song I throw
High in the sky!
Catch the song I throw
Fly, song, fly!
(Musicians)
Dance to my fiddle!
Hop to my drum!
Leap to the high flute!
Come, gallants, come!
(Fire swallowers)
Fire! Fire!
Watch me drink it!
Fire! Fire!
Watch me sink it!
(Mummers)
See the King with crown and scarlet!
See the Lady faint in white!
See the villain slink and snigger!
See the Spring and Winter fight!
St Peter’s Fair is here!
The high time of the year!
St Peter’s Fair is here!
The high time of the year!
(Tightrope artists)
Here I am!
Above your head!
See me dance!
On a thread!
Here I am!
Above your head!
See me dance!
On a thread!
(Food and Drink)
Come buy, come buy,
Sizzling sausages! Steaming hot pies!
Come buy! Come buy!
Come buy, come buy,
Sizzling sausages! Steaming hot pies!
Come buy! Come buy!
