Pace-Eggers

The ancient Lancashire tradition of pace-egging, once widespread, is still to be found in parts of the county. ‘Pace’ comes from pasch, meaning Easter and a pace-egg is an egg specially decorated for the occasion. Pace-eggers, or 'jolly-boys', once a common site in Lancashire villages, were groups of flambouyantly costumed and black-faced performers who would process the streets singing the traditional pace-egging song and collecting eggs, ale and money as tribute.

Noble Youth, Lady Gay, Soldier Brave and Owd Tosspot were among the characters depicted in this uniquely Lancashire version of the ancient mumming plays usually performed at Christmas-time in other areas of England.

"We're one, two, three jolly lads all in one mind
We have come a pace-eggin' and we hope you'll prove kind
And we hope you'll prove kind with your eggs and strong beer
For we'll come no more nigh you until the next year"
(Chorus from the Pace-Egging Song collected in Overton, Lancashire)
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