Byker Hill

Byker Hill

If I had another penny
I would have another gill
I would make the piper play
The bonny lass of Byker Hill

     Byker Hill and Walker Shore, collier lads for ever more
     Byker Hill and Walker Shore, collier lads for ever more

The pitman and the keelman trim
They drink bumble made from gin
Then to dance they do begin
To the tune of Elsie Marley

When first I went down to the dirt
I had no cowl nor no pitshirt
Now I’ve gotten two or three
Oh, Walker Pit’s done well by me

Geordie Charlton had a pig
He hit it with a shovel and it danced a jig
All the way to Walker Shore
To the tune of Elsie Marley

All them lads from Walker Shore
Drink half a pint then eighteen more
All along they rant and roar
To the tune of Elsie Marley

Trad. English, c.1810