Matchdays at St. James’ Park and following Newcastle United wouldn’t be the same without the historic Blaydon Races anthem.
Written in 1862 by George ‘Geordie’ Ridley, the song is synonymous with the region and in particular, following the Magpies. It has become a local anthem in the North East, sang about the route revellers took from Newcastle to Blaydon in the historic horse race before it was cancelled in 1916 due to unruly behaviour and riots.
Now a road running race, which was started in 1981 by Dr John Dewar, the race follows the route detailed in the song. The song’s tune and words take inspiration from an American ballad, ‘On the Road to Brighton’, and will no doubt be heard around St James’ before Newcastle play Brighton & Hove Albion in the fifth round of the FA Cup this weekend.
The first verse is well known in the stands at St. James’ Park, but what about the other verses? Here are the full lyrics…
Blaydon Races lyrics
Aa went to Blaydon Races, ’twas on the ninth of Joon,
Eiteen hundred an’ sixty-two, on a summer’s efternoon;
Aa tyuk the ‘bus frae Balmbra’s, an’ she wis heavy laden,
Away we went ‘lang Collin’wood Street, that’s on the road to Blaydon.
Chorus:
Ah me lads, ye shudda seen wi gannin’,
We pass’d the foaks alang the road just as they wor stannin’;
Thor wis lots o’ lads an’ lassies there, aal wi’ smiling faces,
Gannin’ alang the Scotswood Road, to see the Blaydon Races.
chorus
We flew past Airmstrang’s factory, and up to the “Robin Adair”,
Just gannin’ doon te the railway bridge, the ‘bus wheel flew off there.
The lassies lost their crinolines off, an’ the veils that hide their faces,
An’ aw got two black eyes an’ a broken nose gannin’ te Blaydon Races.
chorus
When we gat the wheel put on away we went agyen,
But them that had their noses broke they cam back ower hyem;
Sum went to the Dispensary an’ uthers to Doctor Gibbs,
An’ sum sought out the Infirmary to mend their broken ribs.
chorus
Noo when we gat to Paradise thor wes bonny gam begun;
Thor was fower-an-twenty on the ‘bus, man, hoo they danced an’ sung;
They called on me to sing a sang, aa sung them “Paddy Fagan”,
Aa danced a jig an’ swung my twig that day aa went to Blaydon.
chorus
We flew across the Chain Bridge reet into Blaydon toon,
The bellman he was callin’ there, they call him Jackie Broon;
Aa saw him talkin’ to sum cheps, an’ them he was pursuadin’
To gan an’ see Geordy Ridley’s concert in the Mechanics’ Hall at Blaydon.
chorus
The rain it poor’d aall the day an’ mayed the groons quite muddy,
Coffy Johnny had a white hat on – they war shootin’ “Whe stole the cuddy.”
There wis spice stalls an’ munkey shows an’ aud wives selling ciders,
An’ a chep wiv a hapenny roond aboot, shootin’ “Noo, me lads, for riders.”
chorus
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/what-words-blaydon-races-newcastle-31106647
