“In Landewednack, on Shrove Tuesday, children from the ages of six to twelve perambulate the parish begging for ‘Col-perra’ (probably an old Cornish word); but, whatever be its meaning, they expect to receive eatables or half-pence. As few refuse to give, they collect during the day a tolerable booty, in the shape of money, eggs, buns, apples, etc. The custom has existed from time immemorial, but none of the inhabitants are acquainted with its origin.”—(A Week in the Lizard, by Rev. C. A. Johns, B.B., F.L.S.)
I have been favoured by the Rev. S. Rundle, Godolphin, with the formula repeated by the children on this occasion (now almost forgotten): “Hen-cock, han-cock, give me a ‘tabban’ (morsel), or else ‘Col-perra’ shall come to your door.”
Boys at St. Ives, Scilly, and other places, went about with stones tied to strings, with which they struck the doors, saying:—
“Give me a pancake, now! now! now!
Or I’ll knock in your door with a row, tow, tow!”
This custom has only lately (if it has yet) quite died out. The rhyme at Polperro ran thus:—
“Nicky, Nicky, Nan,
Give me some pancake, and then I’ll be gone,
But if you give me none
I’ll throw a great stone,