The Day that Lasts a Lifetime

"Foolery, sir, does walk about the orb like the sun, it shines everywhere. "

—William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night (3.1.39-40)

A Laughing Fool. Netherlandish oil painting (possibly Jacob Cornelisz. van Oostsanen) ca. 1500

It is funny that a five-hundred-year-old painting still can make us laugh. It also says something about the painter who was able to paint the laughing fool in such a way it still appeals to us. Although attributed to Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen, this is not sure as it is not signed.

The fool – or Jester- wears the typical bi-colour costume with a hood containing the ears of an ass. In his left arm, he holds a wooden Marotte; a bauble with a fools head carved at the end. This was not so much a mark of their profession (the costume already makes it clear we are dealing with a jester), but it had probably practical uses when entertaining his public. The bauble allowed the fool to point out specific persons, waving it around, tapping in on the ground to demand attention or even hitting someone with it.

In his right hand, he holds the metal frame of glasses. This was also used for entertainment (it contains no glass, so it had no practical usage); holding it before his eyes, he could mock persons wearing real glasses or demand extra attention to any subject of person he was eying with it.

Source 

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The first day of April I’ll never forget
When three English blades together had met
They mounted on horseback and swore bitterly
That they’d play a trick on the first man they see

Chorus: And sing fol the rol dol daddly
Fol the rol dol daddly
Fol dol the rol dol daddly
Fol the rol dee

Pat Campbell the Drover they happened to spy
He came from Tyrone, a place called Dun High
They’ve greeted Campbell and he’s done the same
And in close conversation together they came.

[Repeat Chorus]

They rode right along and they made a full stop
They called upon Paddy for to take a drop
And Paddy consented, and said he with a smile
“I long for to taste some good ale from Carlisle”

[Repeat Chorus]

They ate and they drank and they sported as well
Until 48 shillings to pay up the bill
Likewise for their horses, some oats and good hay
And they thought they’d leave Paddy the reckoning to pay

[Repeat Chorus]

Out of the house they stole one by one
They thought they’d leave Paddy to pay for the whole
The Landlord came in, and this he did say
“I’m afraid, Irish Pat, they’ve a trick on you played.”

[Repeat Chorus]

“Never mind them” says Pat, “although they’re gone away
I’ve got plenty of money the reckoning to pay
If you sit down beside me before that I go
I will tell you a secret perhaps you don’t know”

[Repeat Chorus]

“I’ll tell you a secret contrary to law
There’s three kinds of wine from one puncheon I’ll draw”
The Landlord was eager to find out that plan
And away to the cellar with Paddy he ran

[Repeat Chorus]

He bored a hole in a very short space
And he bade the landlord place his thumb on that place
The next one he bored, “place the other one there,”
And I for a tumbler will go up the stair

[Repeat Chorus]

Pat mounted his horse and was soon out of sight
The hostler came in to see if all was right
They hunted the house, from the top to the ground
And half dead in the cellar, their master he found

[Repeat Chorus]

from "April Fools: The Roots of an International Tradition" by Stephen Winick