Florence!
- Tell the midwife... - Very good, milady!
…she's not to...
Florence!
- Florence! - Here, milady!
- Make him tear it up! - Yes, milady!
- Dustbin! - Just on half-past ten.
Doctor Jessop's midwife. Mustn't touch illegitimates
Advert in chemist's window indecent. Tear it up!
Call at Primrose Cottage. Must stop William making such rude noises, or else...
Buy a breakfast cup.
Load of logs for Number Six, the Mount. Mittens for Mr Pilgrim.
Did they count how many from the almshouse wanted copies of the Bishop's sermon?
No more poppies in altar vases. Looks too Roman.
Vicar must warn choirboys, make responses quicker.
One lifetime, one brain, one pair of hands are all too few for Lady B.
Each day, some new idea makes new demands upon her sense of charity.
But oh! Sometimes I wish...
I hope we're not too early, Florence?
- Oh no, Miss, Her Ladyship's expecting you. - Why, this looks almost like a deputation, eh?
Let me take your hats and sticks. I'll say you've come.
It's just on half-past ten. We're very punctual by that clock.
- Come and sit here, Miss Wordsworth. - Let me stand till we're ready to begin.
As you will.
Ten seconds fast I make that.
No you're slow! Exactly right by mine.
Oh! I find it so refreshing to escape from school a sunny day like this.
Playing truant?
Funny being slow! Never known it.
Free for a perfect hour or two of liberty.
Wonderful weather for April, Mister Gedge!
Wants oiling, I expect. Dust in the works.
Look! That hedge of rosemary is humming with bumblebees!
Quite perfect, Mister Mayor! Promises a splendid May and June.
"In like a lion, out like a lamb!" That was true of March this year.
It was.
"And lo! the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth!"
- Solomon's song, you know! - Well, since we're here...
Her Ladyship was very distressed when she heard about Curtis's daughter.
- Appalling! - They tell me that's her third!
- She won't confess the father, silly girl! - It's happening far too often!
Lily Jarvis is another problem!
Twins, if you please!
Drunken father, mother a slattern.
- These things breed immorality in the young. - Their poor children!
- Something must be done! - Hear, hear!
- A firm stand now before the evil spreads! - Her Ladyship is all for that!
- Tho' she exaggerates occasionally. - Strong measures are essential now!
- Of course they are! - Hear, hear!
- This festival idea may help! I am all for that! - Oh yes! I have great hopes.
Hush! She's here!
- Careful now! - Oh! Her Ladyship!
- Here she comes. - Ah, Lady Billows!
Stuffy! Tobacco stink! Nasty masculine smell!
Good morning! My lady, good morning!
This is the tenth of April, the day your Ladyship planned...
...for our second and final meeting. We're here to see how we stand.
For the Queen of the May must be appointed by us today!
All very punctual! Glad to see it. Early worms!
We've made our own investigations and bring you our nominees, and we're ready whenever you please.
Now then! Notebook, Florence! All know why we're here.
Only one item on today's agenda: to choose a Queen of the May.
May Queen! May Queen! There's a lot of simple wisdom in these old traditions.
Like Hallowe'en, Harvest Home, Chasing the Old Year out of the Town, and so on.
Competition to be May Queen, when I was a girl, was amazingly keen. Among the village girls, I mean.
All dressed in white, met on the Green at noon on May the first, to parade before the Squire.
Squire picked the winner, and sat beside her during dinner.
Oh! you're too young to remember how these things were done!
I'm putting up a prize this year. Twenty-five sovereigns. Twenty-five! Consider it my duty.
Must make virtue attractive, exciting, desirable for young people.
Too many goings on!
Dirty things!
Our birth rate rises every week.
Poor Doctor Jessop is run off his feet, delivering new babies...
...to mothers of whom excessively few have taken the trouble of visiting you, Vicar!
Shocking business! No, I won't have it!
Town's in a state of complete moral chaos.
Well, then, all in favour signify. Usual manner.
Unanimous! Good! Let's have the suggestions. I'm waiting! First?
The first suggestion on my list is a charming local girl...
...who takes Communion and never missed a Sunday: Jennifer Searl.
Had an affair with young Tom O'Dare, last Christmas.
Case dismissed!
Of all the pupils from the school, it gives me particular pleasure...
...to recommend Elizabeth Newell, whose botany notes are a treasure.
Was seen in the woods after dusk with Tom Hood, last Tuesday!
Cross her name off! No good!
There's Winifred Brown, who works in the town as assistant to Mrs Bell.
I've asked about her, and people concur she behaves on the average quite well.
Except she went with her cousin from Kent for a trip in a dog-cart, one Sunday in Lent!
Speak up, Budd!
I've little to say, my Lady, so I'll make it short and sweet.
The girl in my mind is a treasure, you'll find. Her name is Amelia Keats.
Exposes her ankles and legs bold as brass.
Her skirt's far too short for a girl of her class.
- None of these four seems to me... - Won't accept one of them!
- ...more than half up to scratch as Queen of May. - Cross them all out! Can't waste time buttering parsnips.
Want virgins, not trollops! More names?
I have another name or two I brought with me in case the first was not acceptable.
What about Edith Chase?
- Well, what about her? - Much too flighty.
She attends my Bible group.
When the postman called one day, she opened the door in her nightie!
Has anyone thought of the shoemaker's twins, Joyce Mary and her sister?
Most practical girls at handicrafts.
- I've heard of things from Mr Budd about them both. - Both of them?
Take my Bible oath!
He can't repeat what he caught them at.
You'll pardon him, milady.
There's that girl who works at Piper's farm.
Was lost one night and then found in a barn!
- Oh, surely there must be one to choose! - The girl from the dairy?
She won't refuse. Though not ideal by a long, long chalk.
Then don't suggest her!
People talk of Nancy Waters...
...but I'm not sure...
The baker's daughter? No, no, no!
- Couldn't have her for Queen of the May! - My mind has scoured the Parish through.
- She runs after Sid, who's my assistant... - What can we do?
- ...and him after her, both very persistent. - Not even one girl whom we can trust?
- I reckon that's true. - And must we cast our hopeful glances down?
Unhappy? Sad? Defeated?
Before our project is completed?
You've none of you succeeded!
Oh, bitter, bitter is the fruit sprung from the seed of sin.
I teach my pupils they must strive for moral grace and truth.
How sad to see a decent town lose its good name and sink slowly, down.
Policemen have a ticklish task in stamping out abuses. For human flesh is only grass and darkness has its uses.
Is this all you can bring?
Each single name reeking impurities, exuding moral blame?
Is there no more than this to offer?
Not one thing but stinks of sensual shame?
Are Loxford girls all whores? None clean, none sure?
Lascivious nanny-goats, each one, each one impure?
I'll curb their passions, show them with a whip that laws of morals must endure!
Is this the town where I have lived and toiled?
A Sodom and Gomorrah...
...ripe to be despoiled?
O spawning-ground of horror!
Shame to Loxford!
Sty the female sex has soiled!
Begging your pardon. I'd like to say, has anyone heard of a King of the May?
- Fantastic! - I never did.
Not in East Suffolk!
I suppose you'd crown Sid?
Maybe it seems a rum sort of notion...
...but it might help us out of the present commotion.
'Rum' it may be. 'Helpful'? No! Mere red herring, Budd!
Just so!
Herring's the name and Herring's the lad! Fellow we're wanting is there to be had.
Albert Herring!
Works for his mother.
Has a greengrocer's shop.
Strong as a horse. Works 'til he drops.
Bit simple, of course. But we won't find another.
Albert Herring's clean as new-mown hay.
Honest, truthful, keen as Colman's mustard, as they say!
Never kicks up rough as most boys do.
Albert's real good stuff, as good as gold, right through and through!
I know the boy you mean but is he quite...?
I've seen him since he was a kid.
He's always lived next door to me.
When he attended school, poor Albert was not bright at lessons...
...though quite exceptional for conduct.
An inoffensive lad, simple, of course.
A splendid son to Mrs Herring.
What precisely has a grocer's lad to do with this discussion?
Ridiculous proposal!
I'm certain there are girls, farmer's daughters, maybe, suitable for us.
Florence?
Hopeless, milady.
I've been round all the farms and smallholdings.
Shocking results!
Country virgins, if there be such,
think too little and see too much.
I am a very disappointed woman!
Either we abandon the Festival, or...
Albert Herring!
Vicar?
Virtue, says Holy Writ, is... virtue.
Grace abounding, wheresoever, whensoever, howsoever it exists.
Rarer than pearls, rubies, amethyst, richer than, wealth, wisdom, righteousness!
Is Albert virtuous? Yes? Or no?
That is all we need to know.
He's very virtuous, don't you know. Ev'rybody thinks him so.
Albert is virtuous, yes, I know.
They say he's virtuous, as boys go.
Albert...
What's his name?...
Herring.
Right! We'll have him! May King!
That'll teach the girls a lesson!
May King! May King! Remarkable position. Cause a great sensation on the First of May.
Let's go and tell him, announcing our decision. Warn him to be ready on the First of May.
Most satisfactory! Magnificent solution, for the Coronation on the First of May.
So encouraging for all our dear young people. 'Virtue is rewarded on the First of May.'
Urban District Councillors all over Eastern Suffolk,
envy little Loxford on the First of May.
All the police force will have to be on duty, keeping things in order,
on the First of May.
Rejoice, my friends, and be exceeding glad!
Virtue has signalled forth her champion and defender!
A village lad, a village lad!
Humble in looks, of lowly birth, beneath whose apron beats a heart...
- ...to conquer sin... - ...repel temptation...
...render back to Virtue what she entrusts to him!
Without respect of gender, her crown of simple and refulgent splendour!
Bounce me high, bounce me low, bounce me up to Jericho!
Bounce me slow, bounce me quick, bounce me to arithmetic!
Go on, Harry! The old girl's out!
- She's out! - We'll help you up!
Hold tight! Watch the bell don't ring!
Mind my trousers!
All right?
There it is! By that old box!
Catch!
Give us some too, Harry! Ta!
Look out! S'pose Albert came?
Silly old fool! Can't catch me!
What lovely apples!
- Lovely apples! - Some more?
Come out of that, my lad!
Look out! It's Sid!
I'll teach you to pinch apples!
- Big bully, you! - Little beggar!
- Ow! Le'go! - Damn good hiding's what you need!
- Nosey-parker, too! - Empty your pockets!
- Le'go of me! - Is that the lot? Well then, get out!
We'll tell 'is Dad, 'Sid from the butcher's knocked 'Arry about!'
Shop! Hi! Albert!
There you are! Just caught young Harry pinching things.
How d'you carry a weight like that alone? Cor...must be twenty stone or more!
- It's a hundredweight of turnips. - I see! Strong man act!
- Can I have three boxes of mixed herbs, please, chum? - Yes.
- Got any sage? - We've some at threepence a box, same as the mixed.
I'll take three then. That makes six boxes at threepence. One and a kick.
- That's right. - Toss you... double or quits!
- Oh no, Sid, gambling's not in my line. Mum wouldn't like it. - Never you mind! Heads or tails? Come on, you call!
- No, really I won't, thanks all the same. - But why? Because of Mum? Won't she let you have any fun?
- Did you ever have a pint at the local? - Mum's teetotal.
- Or go out with a whippet after rabbits? - Strict in her habits.
- Did you never try taking a girl for a walk? - Do stop this talk!
- Or dance to the band at the Jubilee Hall? - I don't like it at all!
You will, once you've broke the apron-strings.
Tickling a trout, poaching a hare, flighting wild geese is pretty good sport for a chap to enjoy.
Living without a regular share of pleasures like these is hard to support for your kind of a boy.
But courting a girl is the king of all sports in a class of its own,
where there aren't any rules so long as she's caught and you catch her alone.
Girls mean spring six days a week and twice on Sundays, the whole year round, the winter through.
Girls mean games of hide-and-seek on summer evenings, when someone's bound to fall for you!
Girls mean prowling round in bleak and wintry weather whispering 'I love you!'
- Sid, I'm sorry but I've got a lot to do. - Oh, don't you worry! I'm just off. I'm busy too.
- Good morning, you two! - Why, look who's here! Good morning!
- You've just come in time, we were talking of you. - Talking of me? You have got a sauce!
It was Albert who started the subject, of course.
You want to watch Albert. He's a very dark horse!
You ought to have something better to do than gossiping here. Aren't you working today?
I've been spinning around like a humming top since I opened the shop at eight o'clock.
And you know what they say about work and no play!
Well, come and serve me. I'm in a hurry! I've come for a piece of best English beef.
There's no need to worry! Have a nice peach?
- Oh! May I really? - Those are sixpence each!
- Take two. I'll stand the damage. - Two peaches at sixpence, that's a shilling, please.
I think I can just about manage to squeeze out a bob from the firm's petty cash.
I won't eat them now. They're so ripe they might splash.
You can bring them tonight, and we'll each take a bite to flavour our kisses with a dash of peach bitters.
That sounds just delicious!
Meet me at quarter past eight in the street. Don't be late or I'll whistle under your window.
Yes, if you promise to wait in the street if I'm late and not whistle under my window.
For Mum will be curious and Dad will be furious to hear whistling under our window!
- I'll try to be there if I possibly can... - I do wish they would clear right away from our shop, for it's hard not to overhear.
- ...for the night will be fine and clear. - There'll be trouble I fear should my mother appear and discover them flirting here!
We'll walk to the spinney up over the Common arm in arm, my hand in your pocket,
refreshing ourselves in the pleasures of love!
The moon will be shining, the sky will be starry as we walk, your hand in my pocket,
refreshing ourselves in the pleasures of love!
And I shall be sleeping alone in my attic as they walk, her hand in his pocket,
refreshing themselves in the pleasures of love!
Excuse me.
- Give us a kiss, Nancy! - No, no! Shopping first, kisses afterwards!
- Come on, then! So long, Albert! - Goodbye, Albert!
Hi! Sid!
You forgot to pay for the herbs!
He's much too busy even to listen, much less to care with Nancy there.
I wonder, is he right when he says I miss all the fun, because of Mum?
Yes! Mum's uncommon keen about the need of living chaste and clean in word and deed.
For what?
Each morning, I get up at six and tidy up the stock.
Enthusiastically fix price labels round the shop. For what?
It's not very thrilling to live among boxes and baskets of vegetables, flowers and seasonal fruits.
I'm expert at jobs like weighing up punnets of raspberries and knowing when root-crops are likely to shoot.
For what?
It seems as clear as clear can be, that Sid's ideas are very much too crude for Mother to approve.
And yet I'd really like to try that kind of life, and see how it compares with serving customers.
Mum wants two penn'orth of potherbs to make a stew in a hurry, Mister!
Where's your basket?
Haven't got one, bust it! My sister went and lost it!
I'll put 'em in paper.
Ta, that'll be safer than taking them loose.
- No school today? - Got extra 'olidays.
- Whatever for?
On account of Miss Weaver, our Botany teacher, went camping at Easter, got scarlet fever.
She was sharing our tent when she came out all spotty, so they sent us all home with a letter...
...explaining they wouldn't expect us at school for a week in case we're infectious.
It sounds a bit potty, but we're not complaining!
Tuppence, please! Here you are.
Don't mind farthings, do you?
Thanks, Mister! Ta!
Oh, maybe soon I'll have the chance to get away!
And golly! It's about time!
- Good morning, young man. - Good morning, Miss Pike.
- I want if I can to talk to your Mum. - I'll call her at once, but she's washing the clothes.
The reason I've come is more urgent than those.
- Mum! You're wanted! - What? Who is it?
Miss Florence Pike is here on a visit!
Just drying her hands. Would you care to sit down?
No thank you, I'll stand. I mustn't stay long.
I'm sorry to keep you. And how do you do? Nice sunny day for the time of year, too!
Her Ladyship is on her way with Miss Wordsworth and the Vicar, Messrs Budd and Upfold, too, to visit you here.
What did you say? Visiting us? But they can't come in here! A shop's not the place for people like them!
- We shall get on much quicker if you will be silent and listen to me. - And I can't have them into the parlour today. I'm airing the washing, airing it there!
- The decision they bring concerns Albert, as they will explain for themselves. - Concerns Albert?
- Concerns me, do you say? - Oh! Don't say that Albert's in trouble some way!
Be quiet now! Are you ready? Here they come!
We bring great news to you upon this happy day. Patronage and fame applaud your name!
Declaring you Loxford King of the May!
- They're talking to you, Albert! - I don't quite get their meaning.
- You've been chosen as May King. - Chosen as what?
- As May King! - What, me?
- Yes, you! - Oh, Albert!
We plan to celebrate by crowning you upon May Day afternoon. That's fairly soon.
Not long to wait! Just till April's gone!
- Excuse my asking. What's this crowning for? - I'd like to know that too!
- In honour of your pure, virtuous life. - Reward for chastity!
- Official recognition of your modesty! - Well, I'll be blowed!
- What costume will he wear? - White like a swan!
- A royal crown! - And where will that come from?
- Me dressed in white? Oh no! - We'll see to that all right.
- Bring me his size in shoes and hats tonight to give the tailor. - Seems ridiculous to me!
- The whole thing's daft! - Now, Herring, don't be hasty!
- But before we part should we not mention...? - But of course! The prize!
When this great day arrives, Albert will receive, besides his crown...
...a prize in golden coins, five and twenty pounds, yes, five and twenty pounds!
Twenty-five pounds all of his own! Albert, say 'Thank you!' As well as a crown?
In offering this prize, our aim is to ensure virtue has its just reward from us!
- And so goodbye, Albert! No! au revoir! - Good morning to you all!
Well, think of that, my lad, being King of the May an' all!
And the envy of everyone, King of the May! And twenty-five quid in addition!
But I don't want that kind of position, and I don't think I'm going to accept.
- You won't accept? Why ever not? You can't refuse! - Oh yes, I can!
Not while you live with me, young man! You'll do as you're told!
- Now listen, Mum! - Don't 'listen' me!
Why should they come and dress me up like a blinking swan? Make speeches at me like I was stuffed instead of flesh and blood!
Stop shouting at me and fetch my tape from the box on the kitchen safe.
- I'll measure you up! - Oh no, you won't!
- You heard what I said! - I did, and don't you think I'm willing, 'cos I'm not.
I'll take a strap to you, that's what!
- You try it then! - Young devil!
- I'm old enough to choose for myself! - I brought you up!
You shut me up in the shop all day!
The wicked ingratitude of it!
You'll pay for this, my boy!
- I'm sick and tired of being ordered about! - You little liar! You little liar!
I won't stand here and be attacked by a kid who wants his bottom smacked!
Go up to bed. Shut the door, and don't you dare to come down before you're ready to say sorry! Go on!
Albert's Mum took a stick, Whacked him on the thingmijig! Albert hopped round the shop, Squeaking like a tillypig!
I'll teach you!
Twenty-five quid! Bloody little fool!
- Isn't he here? - Not yet.
- Oh, drat the lad! - He promised to come by three.
I'm astonished at him, today of all days!
- Don't trouble to wait. - I should hate to miss them.
There's only the meat to unpack and put out on the plates.
I can easily do that alone.
The Vicar especially asked me to be there at half-past
to be took in the photograph group for The Ipswich and District Gazette.
Here he is at last!
And high time too!
Hurry up, Sid!
Am I late?
Everything's ready but you!
Sorry, Miss Pike!
Punctured my bike!
Punctured your bike!
For three precious weeks we've been toiling and scraping...
...bustling, hurrying, hurrying, scurrying, with one aim in sight.
And now at the eleventh hour you keep everything waiting...
...because of your bike!
I think you're lazy and most reprehensible!
Surely you know that the meat's indispensable?
Lateness on May Day is quite indefensible!
It's twenty past.
Then I must fly, or they'll leave me out!
You bumble off! That'll be much more sensible!
That's a fine sight for sore eyes!
Don't you think it's a splendid surprise?
And they make all this fuss, 'cos Albert's too shy to go out on a bust!
What were things like down in the town?
Churchyard's agog with a crowd of folk who couldn't get in for the service.
Seats have been kept for the Band of Hope, and each choirboy has got a new surplice.
The Vicar is preaching on 'Living Chaste For the Hereafter'.
Some of his listeners are solemn-faced, some near to laughter.
And Albert! Sitting there in his pew, the poor kid looks on tenterhooks.
He's in the mood to escape if he could.
I'd like to see him go for good!
Sid, tell me the truth about why you were late.
What do you mean?
You've got some scheme!
How did you guess?
I know by the grin on your face and the gleam in your eye.
Confess!
Can you keep a secret?
Mum as an oyster.
Then I'll tell you the plot while we empty this box.
Quickly, quickly, come along, come along!
Time to try our festive song last time through before they come!
- Blimey! Jelly! - Pink blancmange!
- Seedy cake! Seedy cake! - With icing on!
All stand neatly in a row, head back, fingers so.
One deep breath and off we go!
- Treacle tart! - Sausagey rolls!
Trifle! Trifle! In a big bowl!
Food comes later. First we sing.
'Glory to our new May King!'
Try to make the welkin ring!
Attention now! No fidgeting.
There is doh!
One and two and... no! When I reach two
you have to be agog to start
on the beat of three!
Chicken and ham!
Cheesey straws!
And marzipan!
One and two and...
Glory to our new may king!
Oh, oh... what a noise, oh, what a noise!
That's much too shrill
and Harry, you should just try to keep still!
One and two and...
Glory to our new May king!
Albert, 'ail, all...
Not 'ail, my dears!
The word is hail!
A clean, crisp note from an open throat.
Hail!!
Insert your aitches
in their proper places.
Albert, hail! all hail! we sing...
Halbert, hail! hall hail!
Too many now,
But that must do!
Try the next lines
fervently through.
Sing with fire!
Beginning on Fah.
You, Emmie, higher...
Your note is Lah.
Doh... Ray... Mi... Fah!... Soh... Lah!
Each single voice
cries out 'rejoice'
in happy song
both loud...
Oh Harry! This is where you always go wrong!
Just follow Cis, she'll help you along.
Please, Teacher?
Don't take too long!
Our song must begin
exactly upon their coming-in.
I don't think you ought!
Stop spoiling the fun! Is this where he's sitting?
The right-handed one!
Then you begin filling
the glasses all up,
while I add a drop
to His Majesty's cup.
Don't give him too much!
He mustn't get tight...
Just loosen him up,
and make him feel bright.
I think that's all right.
Now add lemonade...
It's much the same shade...
Now no-one can smell
there's rum in as well,
excepting for Albert,
and he'll never tell!
Quick, here they are!
Fill up the rest.
We'll stand at the side...
That'll be best.
Here they are, dears! Quickly, come along!
Do remember!
Nice neat curtsies!
Deep breaths!
It's a great day for your son, Mrs Herring.
Yes, he does look a treat,
in his white suit.
I couldn't help feeling proud of him too.
Today's a big affair for you, Miss Pike!
For three weeks at least
we've been planning this feast,
Your Worship.
See virtue triumphs
-Is this the town -in Albert here.
which I have cherished and loved!
One and two and...
Glory to our new may king!
Albert, hail! all hail! we sing!
Every voice
cries out rejoice!
In happy song
both loud and long!
Hail, Albert! Albert! we cry
welcome to your majesty.
Hail!
-Thank you, dears, -Tuneful and interesting! -Very harmonious.
-Quite nicely sung, -Crikey! What an awful noise! -That was splendid, -Bravo!
-but rather modern, wasn't it? -splendid, quite appropriate! -Bravo! A fine effort!
-I hope you sang rightly what teacher intended? -Very good, I'm sure!
-Do be quiet, Sid, they were doing their best. -Did Miss Wordsworth write it?
Husssh!...
Harold Wood!
My flowers are few
And tender my years
But they are for you
Whom Loxford reveres.
Emmie Spashett!
Simple song, Country flowers
Wish you long, And happy hours.
Now, Cissie Woodger!
Hooray for the...
Mother...
… the Mother of…
... Albert...
... of Albert the...
... King...
... the King.
Go on, dear!
Hooray! for the!...
'Twas yours to dis…
-Hooray! -'twas yours...
-'twas yours to dis... -Hooray! Hooray, Hooray!
Well done, dearie! Very nice, I'm sure...
Thank you, children!
And thank you, Miss Wordsworth!
Come, let's sit down.
-Albert, come on my right hand. -Where d'you think I'd be? -I'm the King's Mum.
-Over here, Mrs Herring! -Next to me. -Won't somebody take this for me?
-I don't know what to do with it! -That was excellent, children. -Sit down quietly.
-This me? -Where d'you think his Worship sits? -Chinwagging!
-What an awful lot of rot! -Coo! I'm jolly hungry! -Food comes after speeches.
-Vicar, you start! -Just a few words of introduction. -That will be most suitable!
-Oh, I must stay and listen. -This'll be fun!
Your Ladyship!
Ladies and gentlemen... girls and boys!
I shall not trespass on your time... I rise,
ex officio,
to introduce Her Ladyship,
and ask her if she will
consent to make a little speech
before we take our fill?
Thank you, Mr Gedge!
I'm full of happiness
to be here in your midst
on such a day as this,
as honoured guest and patroness
of the Loxford Urban District May Day Feast.
Seated upon my right is Albert Herring...
A young man chosen, marked out, set apart
for honest worth and purity of heart.
You see that in the costume he is wearing...
virgin white and orange blossom crown.
Dear children!
You, you, the rising generation!
Never forget the meaning of this day!
Treasure its example! Think, oh think
of Albert! Scorn the sweetmeats of temptation
seducing you from straight and narrow ways...
Carnal indulgence!
Gambling! Playing cards!
Irreligion! Patriotism is not enough!...
and drink!
The havoc wrought by gin!
Oh, never start that dreadful habit,
or you're lost forever!
King and country! Cleanliness is next to...
God for England and Saint...
Keep your powder dry and leave the rest to
Nature!... Britons! Rule the deep!
Albert! Arise! Stand to receive
this purse of otterskin… my father shot
the brute in 'fifty-six on Christmas Eve,
with five and twenty sovereigns inside!
Take it, my boy! Take it with joyful pride!
All this is yours, and you deserve the lot!
Magnificent, your Ladyship!
Our best thanks to you!
A splendid speech, a splendid prize
and splendidly deserved!
Now, Mister Mayor, will you please rise
and add another word?
As representing our local Council,
I'm very happy to declare
ourselves in full agreement with Her Ladyship,
thanking her most hearty... heartily...
for the ideal
she sets our town in moral leadership.
The repercussions of this festival
will travel far, wide, deep and strong…
like when my Council,
acting for the best of all
Its citizens, laid the twelve inch watermain...
costing six pounds ten the yard… that runs along
through Balaclava Avenue...
regardless of objections!...
To guarantee pure water filtered
from infections.
Now Loxford leads again by being first, yes!
First in crowning a May King.
'Well done!'
I hear you cry...
My Council wishes me to mark today
by offering this prize to Albert,
which they have voted from the Entertainment Fund
this Savings Book in which
he'll find
five pounds.
Fascinating, Mister Mayor!
a fitting gift indeed
to store away
for a rainy day
and keep in case of need.
And now, Miss Wordsworth,
you will not disappoint us?
Oh, you have a surprise,
I see!...
My heart leaps up with joy to see
virtue and simplicity
applauded, rewarded and glorified
with heartfelt warmth on every side!
Albert, the teachers from the school,
Miss Podd, Miss Turtle,
dear Miss Butler and Miss Toole,
are proud of you, proud of you,
as I am too,
and profoundly stirred by your renown.
Albert! Albert! Albert!
They send this little gift to you
for rainy afternoons…
Foxes' Book of Martyrs
in two fine volumes, illustrated,
inscribed to you appropriately,
and dated.
The Bible, Shakespeare,
Foxes' Book of Martyrs...
Three cornerstones
of our national heritage!
Thank you, Miss Wordsworth, very much.
To make our thanks complete,
one voice is missing!
Yes, Mister Budd's
last, but hardly least!
Erhumph... I'm no great shakes as a speechifier,
but my heart's warm enough,
if you know what I mean!
It's chaps like young Albert
keep the British Empire
on top of the world where it has always been.
Good old Albert!... that's my opinion...
Good luck to you my boy!... erhumph!...
Before I wind up,
I mustn't forget to thank Mrs Williams
for the loan of her flagpole and two dozen cups.
Thank you! Thank you! Now I'm certain
Albert feels the need of speaking in his turn...
Returning thanks for gifts received,
before the feast's begun?
Go on, Albert!
Say 'Thank you.'
Don't be shy!
Say a word or two.
It's just polite.
-Don't be scared, old boy. -Poor Albert.
Come along now!
Er...
er...
Thank you.
Very much.
Ooh! Albert!
Bit short, wasn't it? That didn't take long!
Try again! Better luck next time!
Short and sweet! He's scared! Poor Albert!
Well tried, Albert! We understand...
That modest phrase betrays a heart too full to prate or boast.
Now lift your glasses, everyone,
and join me in a toast!
Albert the Good!
Long may he reign!
To be re-elected again and again.
Albert the Good!
Long may he reign!
To be re-elected again and again.
Go on, Albert!
And three cheers for Her Ladyship!
Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!
That's better! Thirsty! More please!
- Hiccups! - Albert's got willups!
- Shall I pat your back? - Beg par...
- Most distressing! - Too much excitement!
- Count twenty! - Hold your breath!
I'm trying!
- Pat him harder! - Glass of water!
- Lump of sugar! - Soaked in vinegar!
It's almost gone!
- Do you think it's the rum? - It's got a kick like a gun!
Please don't bothe...
- Oh, what have we done? - It was only in fun!
Wate...
Lemonade! Lemonade!
From the wrong side!
Sip it.
Slowly.
Slowly.
Drop by drop.
'E'll go off pop!
Better, son?
None too soon.
Oh, well done!...
Well, then, let's begin...
- Bring the plates! Quickly now! - Here you are! Pass it down.
- Coming now! This is yours! - Cor blimey! I'm aching to get down to eating!
- My tummy is rumbling. - Don't 'arf keep you waiting!
- Sit still and be good, dear. - There's a mountain of food here.
- I feel brisk like a rocket, going up with a whoosh! - Oh! How lucky I am!
- Put the purse in your pocket. - And remove all those books.
- Here's a plate of sliced ham - Give that to the Vicar.
- If you help in that way we shall all get served quicker. - It's a splendid display!
- Quite a banquet, I'd say ! - A magnificent spread!
- I wasn't expecting such a wonderful do. - Excuse me for stretching!
- Beginning with beef, eh? - There's lashings of food!
- Off the sirloin, I'd say. - My, does that ham look good!
Albert the Good!
Long may he reign.
To be re-elected,
And re-selected,
And re-expected,
Again and again and again and again and again!
Mum! Mum! Yoo, hoo!
It's your little Albert!
Your sugar-plum
of a prodigal son...
Clean as a whistle,
sound as a drum,
from his Corona...ti...um!
Mum!
Stupid! Stupid!
She's gone to call on Auntie Eth
For a cup of tea and a chat.
Left me coming straight home to bed,
but I'm blowed if I'm ready for that!
Dark in here! Must find a match.
And after that we'll light the gas,
with enormous care not to break the mantle
set fire to the shop…
or cause a scandal!
Matches?
Matches! Matches!
Swan Vestas!...
Swan Vestas?... Ah!
That's the chap
turn the tap
strike the match like this...
oh drat!
Butterfingers!... Ooopsadaisy!
Open your mouth,
shut your eyes,
strike the match
for a nice surprise...
Blast!... Dangerous stuff, gas.
Smelly, tricky, noisy, dangerous stuff!
Leave well alone...
Phew... it's hot!
Belt's too tight for tum.
Loosen it out a notch,
relieve my poor old abdo...mum.
Golly! What a party! What a party!
Talk of eating hearty!...
Dish after dish, they brought us:
cakes, different-flavoured, jellies,
custard, chocolate dates,
fruit salad, trifle... and they gave us
pastries freshly made
with cream in, followed by Almond Favours!
But oh! The taste of that lemonade...
Wonder how it's made?
Nancy knows, I suppose.
Nancy will know...
Pretty name, Nancy, pretty name!
Why did she stare
each time I looked
up at her?
Why was she watching
whenever I turned
of a sudden?
Nancy! Why did she blush
catching my eye
as she passed?
What made her stammer
when speaking to me
in that manner?
Nancy? Nancy?
No! She belongs to Sid, not me:
We never talked or walked
light-heartedly through the woods,
nor shall that I can see.
Girls don't care for chaps like me.
I'm too shy to reply
entertainingly when they speak,
I lose my nerve and fly.
Sounds like Sid serenading under her window,
impatiently at waiting,
impatiently aching
to take Nancy chasing love and adventure.
Sid doesn't suffer from shyness, timidity,
gets what he wants
from directness, simplicity,
aims at his target
with shameless audacity,
trades on the fact of his ruthless tenacity.
You oughtn't to whistle. I told you that, Sid!
It's perishing cold standing here in the street
Twenty-five minutes! I'm frozen stiff!
I slipped down the stairs as quick as I could...
Let's call at the pub for a couple of ports.
Sid, we mustn't!
Warm us up quick...
Oh, no!
People will talk!...
They've enough food for chatter
in Albert tonight,
so us two won't matter.
Poor kid! It does seem wrong
to show him off to everyone
like a sort of plaster saint
or the village simpleton.
Oh, he's all right...
Once he's sown a few wild oats,
he'll live that down.
But how can he sow them,
tied to his Mum?
I've done my share providing the rum!
Are you volunteering to cheer him
along the agreeable primrose path?
Of course not! Still, I'd like to help.
Heaven helps those who help themselves!
It's getting terrible chilly.
It'll be terrible cold up there on the Common.
You needn't be frightened with me!
Come along, darling, come follow me quick!
Time is racing
us round the clock,
ticking and tocking our evening away
which we've hoped for and longed for all day.
Hurry to work, hurry to play,
Youth must hurry at headlong pace,
seizing and squeezing the pleasures of life
in a cheerful and a fearful embrace.
Nancy, Nancy, Nancy
Give us a kiss, Nancy!...
Not here in the light!
Kiss me...
Windows have eyes!
Kiss me...
Time is a glutton, Time is a thief,
Youth must challenge him as he flies,
daring and sharing its dreams of delight
Between eight
and eleven
at night!
'Heaven helps those who help themselves.'
Help myself! Oh go, go, go away
and leave me here alone
with doubts and terrors
you will never know!
Enjoy your evening as you will!
Kiss and hug your fill!
Embrace until the stars spin
round like Catherine wheels
against the rainbow-coloured hills.
Then hurry home at dawn,
proud of what you've done,
smile to think
I slept alone!
Nancy pities me, Sid laughs, others snigger
at my simplicity... offer me buns
to stay in my cage.
Parade me around as their whiteheaded boy.
Albert the Good! Albert who should!
Who hasn't and
wouldn't if he could!
Albert the Meek! Albert the Sheep!
Mrs Herring's guinea-pig!
Mrs Herring's tilly-pig!
Mrs Herring's... prig!
But when, but when,
shall I dare and dare again?
How shall I screw my courage up
to do what must be done by everyone?
The tide will turn, the sun will set
while I stand here and hesitate.
The clock begins its rusty whirr,
catches its breath to strike the hour
and offers me a final choice
that must be answered No or Yes.
Forgotten those!
My virgin ransom!
I'll toss for it,
and damn the risk!
Eeny, meeney, miney mo
Heads for Yes and Tails for No,
Tails for No and Heads for Yes...
Spin it up...
Heads!
Well, you've gone and done it now!
It's very plain you've burnt your boats
and can't go back again.
Oh golly! But how...
Albert!... Albert?
Fast asleep, poor kid!
Worn out by all this fuss.
Sleeping the sleep of the just
and richer by twenty-five quid!
Oooaaah!
I shan't need rocking myself!
Is she asleep?
How could she sleep?
She's lying upstairs on her bed for a while.
They've been phoning around to
Ufford and Orford, Iken and Snape!
Where can he be?
Someone was saying
it's felo-de-se.
Felo-de-what?
Done himself in!
Unless he's been murdered!
Oh no! No!
Come on, Emmie! Got your compass?
I'm running off now
to join in the hunt
round Hasketon Hall
with the Peewit Patrol.
Ta-ta!
What would Mrs Herring say?
What would everybody think?
If they knew the trick we played
giving Albert rum to drink?
We did it for fun
oh we shouldn't have done!
Hi! Don't forget the splints!
Now he's vanished overnight,
disappeared without a trace,
and I bitterly regret
what I did in thoughtlessness.
We did it for fun
oh we shouldn't have done!
They're dragging the millpond with ropes
and ruddy great hooks!
Bring him back! Oh bring him back!
Safe and sound in life and limb.
Mrs Herring's heart will break
losing him, losing him.
We did it for fun
oh we shouldn't, we shouldn't have done!
What the hell d'you think I am?
A human bloodhound?
Sid! Thank goodness you've come!
I've spent the whole blooming day
splashing around
up to my neck in water and clay
and for all that I found…
Not?...
...One maggotty sheep
lying dead on the ground!
Thank heavens!
Any more news about Albert?
No.
I'm hungry, I'm tired,
I'm sick of the sound
Of 'Albert! Albert! Albert!
Albert!' all round!
You're heartless and selfish
and thoughtless and cruel!
No conscience
or feelings of kindness at all!
He isn't the first and he won't be the last
to throw up his heels and kick over the mark!
You've ruined poor Albert, you've ruined his Mum,
and I hope you're contented
but why carry on as if Albert had gone
on a one-way excursion to Kingdom Come?
with what you have done!
You're talking as though I had done all I could
Excuses are useless,
To wipe out the family of Herrings for good!
so don't try them on!
- But all I intended and all that I planned - I'm sorry we did it...
- Was giving young Albert a brotherly hand. - I'm sorry I helped you,
In future, I'll leave you to yourself.
Mrs Herring about?
She's resting.
Ask her down... official business...
won't keep her long.
How's the manhunt?
Give me a decent murder with a corpse.
Give me a clear-cut case of arson.
Give me a robbery with force,
or a criminal case of rape.
But God preserve me
from these disappearing cases,
where everyone from the baker
to the Nonconformist parson
turns Sherlock Holmes
and pokes around finding evidence
in the most unlikely places!
Super! Lady Billows wants you up at her house!
Immediate!
My Lady Billows...
self-appointed Chief Constable!
Have you found him?
Not yet...
He's dead and gone,
poor Albert's dead and gone...
Don't say that!
It's the living truth.
Dead and gone, dead and gone
In the pride of his youth!
I've come to ask for a photograph
to send round the stations
for identification.
There's one in a frame
on the whatshisname...
Above the Bible
on the tulipwood table.
It was took on the pier at Felixstowe
when his Dad was alive, in a studio.
We paid three-and-six to have it enlarged,
and another three bob for the frame
and the glass.
It is all that I have to remember him by
all that remains of my darling boy!
All, all, all that remains
of the baby I bore with such pains!
All, all, all...
All that I did, all that I did,
all that I planned
was building in sand,
for Albert my boy is dead!
- Where did he go? - He'll come back again, my dear.
- Why was he took; wherever I look - He'll come back to you, I swear.
- The world's full of bitter woe. - The Trust in that and never fear,
- A grievous torment - He'll come back before tonight, - Life's become bleak,
- for a mother's heart, - Life's become bare, without Albert here - He'll repent his sudden flight,
- a bitter blow to bear alone. - to ease my grief. - He'll return, you'll see, I'm right.
We come to comfort you and ease the smart
with crumbs of Christian consolation.
Hi! Hi! Heard the news?
There's a Big White Something
in Mrs William's well!!
Oh God! It's him...
No, no... I'm sure it isn't him...
In such an hour
we scarcely dare pretend
we have the power
to help our friend...
Fools!
Blundering fools!
Budd's the worst!
I'll ring up Scotland Yard myself!
We must have experts down to help.
A detective-inspector, won't accept less!
Dispatched by the Liverpool Street Express.
The Saxmundbarn Police are out...
Yokels!
And the Wickham Market Militia...
Bumpkins!
If only they could find him...
Find him?
I'd soon find the wretched boy!
The whole of the district
from Loxford to Ipswich
- Modern methods... that's what we need. - Is seeking and searching in vain
and running around
- Bloodhounds... fingerprints... - without reason or rhyme,
- Wasting their energy, money and time; - electromagnets,
- Poking their noses into each other's houses, - water diviners!
- Snatching at clues that simply confuse - Call in Conan Doyle.
- And starting fresh rumours to keep up the game! - Telegraph the Strand Magazine!
He'll bring him back, dead or alive!
A crisis like this can't be left to the locals,
We must call on expert advice!
My Albert's wreath!...
Found on the road to Campsey Ashe...
crushed by a cart...
In the midst of life is death.
Death awaits us one and all.
Death attends our smallest step,
silent, swift and merciful.
Sigh for youth that scorns to die
and leaps into eternity
with innocent simplicity.
Why was he born who had to run
so short a race and die so young
Foredoomed to fall before begun?
He died too soon. Death came before
his bud had blossomed into flower
and we shall see his like no more.
Weep for him, whose simple fame
shone clearly like a candle-flame
blown bright by the wind, then out again.
Heavy-hearted, we ask why
he was chosen for to die?
But Death's not given to reply.
These flowers were a joyful sight
and shone with purity and light,
- Till Death struck at them overnight. - Yesterday these flowers were fresh
with gaiety and loveliness.
Today they fade to ugliness.
The grave's a fine and private place
but horribly cold and horribly chaste,
and not attractive to my taste.
- Albert! Albert! - In the midst of life is death,
- My only son! - Death awaits us one and all,
He beckons us with every breath
- Flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone! - We take, and does not hesitate
- Let me die too, now you are gone! - To strike the humble or the great.
Grief is silent, Pity dumb.
Despair exclaims
in endless pain
that one so fine
should live in vain
and die so young.
Albert?...
What's going on?
Albert? Where have you come from?
Where have you been?
Wrecking the whole of our daily routine?
Tearing the town from its regular labours
to run up and down and around with the neighbours...
Looking for clues, longing for news,
Inspecting, accepting, rejecting reports
that you had been kidnapped, or murdered...
or worse...
For the twenty-five sovereigns
you had in your purse!
I'm sorry about that.
'Sorry'! 'Sorry'! He says he's 'sorry'!
As if a 'Sorry' could repay
The agony and worry
He's caused us all today!
Where exactly have you been?
Tell us that!
Where have you been?
Wait till I'm alone with you!
You left this house at eight last night?
Where exactly did you go?
Slipped through the streets and out of sight?
Were you alone?
Say 'Yes' or 'No.'
Yes.
Did you remain alone for long?
You met some friends?
Acquaintances?
Male?
And female?
Oh don't go on!
And did you stay with them?
Well, yes!
When you left home, you took with you
twenty-five sovereigns.
In gold.
How many's left?
I've twenty-two.
So three have disappeared all told?
Yes.
Were they stolen from you?
Lost, d'you think?
Did you spend three pounds yourself?
At a shop?
At a public house?
All that on drink?
How did you spend it?
For goodness' sake, stop!
Stop prying and poking
and probing at him
with your pious old faces delighting in sin!
We must persist
and insist
on the truth,
however bad it is.
Where did that three pounds go?
Tell us the truth!
The truth! At once! Tell us the whole truth!
And nothing but the truth!
I can't remember everything, but what I can
I'll tell you plain and straight.
It all began
'cos I suddenly thought it was time I ought
to try a taste of certain things.
The Prayer Book catalogues
among its sins.
Curiosity killed the cat, they say!
Well, if you like,
it was curiosity made me pinch a bike
and pedal away to town last night!
Drink was my first experiment.
I found a pub, ordered some old-and-mild,
and drank it up.
Beer tasted queer,
so my next idea was rum.
A tumblerful of naval rum,
with whisky and gin to wash it down!
Before very long,
I was pretty far gone...
reeling about, beginning to shout,
disgustingly drunk... a nuisance to everyone!
So they threw me out of
The Dog and Duck
To lie in the gutter and sober up!
Impossible! Drunk and disorderly? Our May King?
Then I staggered along
to the four-ale bar Of The Horse and Groom,
which isn't far.
Started a fight 'cos they said I was tight,
butted the publican,
fell on the floor,
and ended up in the gutter once more!
Horrible! Stop him!
This is revolting!
Stop, stop, stop, stop!
You wanted the truth!
Do you want some more?
Or will that do as a general sample
of a night that was a nightmare example
of drunkenness, dirt and worse?
But how could you do it? How could you?
You know what drove me,
You know how I could.
It was all because
you squashed me down and reined me in,
did up my instincts with safety pins,
kept me wrapped in cotton wool,
measured my life by a twelve-inch rule...
Protected me with such devotion
my only way out was a wild explosion!
Monstrous!
I've done it now, it wasn't much fun...
But sooner or later it had to come.
- Monstrous! - Good old Albert!
And I'm more than grateful to you all
for kindly providing the wherewithal.
Preposterous! Wicked boy!
He needs a good thrashing!
Fancy. Turning against his mother,
Young oaf!
And now I shall take it extremely kind
if you'll let me get on!
You will pay! You will pay
For your night's holiday!
you will pay for your sins of the flesh.
You will creep to the grave
A profligate's grave...
A disgrace to your name and your sex!
Good day, your Ladyship,
Please let me get on,
for I'm all behind.
Faugh!
I'll never forgive you! Never!
Not till my dying day!
That'll do, Mum!
I didn't lay it on too thick, did I?
Hi! That's my girl!
Albert's Mum
Took a stick, whacked him on the thingmijig!
Alright! Come on in!
Have a nice peach.
Albert's come
back to stay
better for his holiday!
- Let's all say: - Help yourselves.
- Hip, Hip Hooray! Good luck to him, anyway! - There's plenty for everyone!
Put some more in your pockets!
It's nice to be home again.
Hi! You'd better frame this!
Chuck it over!
Jolly good riddance!
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