Have you had any cob coalers tonight?

[10ClarionSt]

I haven't had a one. In fact, I can't see a bonfire anywhere near here. Kids today can't be 4rsed to collect for a bonfire. Probably been told it's too dangerous and someone could get sued under the Health & Safety Laws. We've come a cob-a-coalin, cob-a-coalin, cob-a-coalin, we've come a cob-a-coalin for bonfire neet. As they say in Owdham.

[Gormless]

I don't know what you are talking about but there has been an extraordinary paucity of fireworks so far this year!

The usual night-long gunfire and police helicopters, but very few fireworks.

[Bathsheba]

Nobody in Oldham says neet!!

[Ethel]

We come a cob a coalin', come a coalin', come a coalin'
We come a cob a coalin' (for Bon fire Night.

We come a cob-coalin' onf or Bon Fire Night
For coal and for money we hope you'll set right,

Fol the ray, fall the ray, fol the riddle-ee-I dum day.

Now the first house we come to is an old cobbler's shop,
with nought on his cornice but an old pepper pot,

Pepper pot, ball of wax morning to night,
If you give us nowt, we'll take nowt, farewell and good night.

Now me father is dead. He's dead and he's gone,
Attention to his grave.

Hello boys, hello boys, let the bells ring,
Fire boys, fire boys, fire we sing.

The fifth of November we hope you'll remember
for gunpowder treason and plot,
I see no reason for Gunpowder treason to ever be forgot.

Oh we,
Come a cob a coalin', come a coalin', come a coalin',
We come a cob a coalin' on Bonfire Night.


*I love a sing song*

[stewey]

Are you GUYS still allowed to have bonfires? When I was a kid, there'd be about 4 or 5 of them in our immediate neighborhood......we'd be going around for weeks collecting up stuff to burn.

[Bathsheba]

Lovely, Ethel! :) xx

[petal54]

despite my moan re ozzy blond & her man,oz is wishing to go to a good burn up,but not much on in wurzal land either,peace for our fury friends anyway

[Gromit]

10ClarionSt

I have heard many Asians of a certain age say neet and reet in a lanky accent. Mainly those who worked in the cotton mills in the 50s and 60s, which have long since closed. They acquired our lingo, but it has not passed down to their offspring, just as it hasn't to ours. No one under 50 says neet and reet anymore.

[Bathsheba]

Clarion St......just to clarify.....who speaks mainly Urdu etc?

[Bathsheba]

Was just wondering if you meant the whole population of the town spoke Urdu when you said "they".