- Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
- The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
- I can think of no reason
- Why the Gunpowder Treason
- Should ever be forgot.
- Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t’was his intent
- To blow up the King and Parli’ment.
- Three-score barrels of powder below
- To prove old England’s overthrow;
- By God’s providence he was catch’d
- With a dark lantern and burning match.
- Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.
- Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
Today, for all you who do not know, is Guy Fawkes Day! On November 5, 1605, a plot was foiled to blow up the Houses of Parliament by a number of Catholic conspirators including Guy Fawkes. Hardly remembered anymore outside of the United Kingdom, it should be the ever present reminder to Christians for God’s providential preservation of order in a world that craves chaos.
Working out Salvation with Fear and Trembling 
Good thought on providence, Allen. Did you write the poem? :-) If I’m not mistaken, a new translation of the Bible was underway on this date. I wonder if the plot would have disrupted the work on the KJV had it succeeded. Just a thought.
Another thought – God is sovereign and active in His providential care whether Parliament stands or the towers fall, whether believers are in favor with earthly authorities or out of favor. Truly He moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.
Hey Tim.
No, I cannot take credit for the poem. It has been around for ever! But, it is unfortunate that people have no historical clue about the Gunpowder Plot and the significance it has for us today as we reflect today on how God acts in history.
Interesting thought about the KJV being disrupted. I think at the time many would not have been terribly upset as the Geneva Bible was the preferred translation even after the release of the KJV (as you are well aware).
God truly does move in mysterious ways. It is good to reflect on God’s sovereignty at all times in human history, not just during good times. I reflect on that often in my role at SGA. God was sovereign during the times of Communism in the Soviet Union and in fact did more to strenghthen and grow the church there under Communism than in other eras. Truly God is mysterious!
Allen