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May Queen's avatar

Origin of the saying "On the Wagon" - meaning a person has stopped drinking alcohol! Prisoners were transported to Tyburn Gallows on a wagon and were allowed one last drink in a pub on the way to their execution. If offered a second drink by a sympathiser the guard would reply,

"No, they're going on the Wagon!"

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May Queen's avatar

p.s the St. Clements cocktail was named after this nursery rhyme being a mixture of orange, lemon, and sometimes vodka.

I found this later -

The victim would await execution on 'Death Row' and would be informed by the Bellman of St. Sepulchre by candle light 'here comes the candle to light you to bed', at midnight outside their cell, the Sunday night prior to their imminent fate, by the ringing of the 'Execution Bell' (a large hand bell) and the recitation of the following :

All you that in the condemned hole do lie,

Prepare you for tomorrow you shall die;

Watch all and pray: the hour is drawing near

That you before the Almighty must appear;

Examine well yourselves in time repent,

That you may not to eternal flames be sent.

And when St. Sepulchre's Bell in the morning tolls

The Lord above have mercy on your soul.

The executions commenced at nine o'clock Monday morning following the first toll of the tenor bell.

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And Yet's avatar

Fantastic piece. You will be pleased to know I am working to get the single bell restored and brought back into service at my church. It should be back later this April. At which point the job is to get it rung before each service.

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May Queen's avatar

Thank you so much! Well that is brilliant news.

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And Yet's avatar

More bells needed. No doubt at all.

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Tania 11:11's avatar

Brilliant ..and fascinating x

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May Queen's avatar

Thank you Tania. Hope you are well. The group is back together on telegram if you want to stop by x

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Tania 11:11's avatar

I will, and thank you I appreciate that. 🤗

Looking forward to getting back on Telegram, just haven't had my head in the right place since losing my dog. Also, driving someone around 24/7 who doesnt see eye to eye with my 'mindset', has been challenging, however, that's coming to an end soon, so I should have more time to concentrate on "vive la résistance"! X

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