The following information was taken from an Article by John Baker for ‘Folktalk Magazine’ (1988?)

The exact origins of the Plough Jag are not quite clear; it evolved over hundreds of years into its present form. The late Maurice Ogg, who compiled the Coleby Plough Jag, believed its origin went back to Viking times. Maurice began his research into the Jag in the late 1960’s whilst collecting songs from elderly friends and relatives living in the area north of Scunthorpe.

The Plough Jag is never quite the same every year, though the story of good conquering evil remains constant. Each performer gives their character a new twist, a new dimension. If one were to analyse the present jag you would find a part of every performer over the past 15 years, be it in a song, a prop, an item of costume or just the way a line is delivered. Many have noted the similarity between the Jag and Pantomime, a mixture of traditional material with a few topical jokes and ad-libs. Long may it continue, not only as a way of keeping an ancient tradition alive but also as a living memorial to the man who revived it, Maurice Ogg.

Visit their website for further information: www.colebyploughjag.com

Coleby Plough Jag song “Absent friends” on YouTube youtube.com/watch?v=pB_CA4MpOSQ