CZTERY REFY - Byker Hill

Byker Hill

Words & music traditional

Well, if I had another penny
I would buy another gill
And I would make the piper play
The "Bonny Lass o' Byker Hill", .

Well, when I first came down to the dirt
I had no money and no clean shirt.
Now I've gotten two or three,
Walker pit's done well by me.

"Byker Hill" and "Walker Shore"... Well, the creelman sits with his mate Jim
And they drink bumble made from gin,
Then to dance they do agree
To the tune of "Elsie Marley".

"Byker Hill" and "Walker Shore"... Oh, Geordie Johnson, well, he had a pig.
If you kicked it on the nose, it would dance a jig.
All the way to Walker Shore
To the tune of "Elsie Marley".

"Byker Hill" and "Walker Shore"... Yes, if I had another penny
I would buy another gill
And I would make the piper play
The "Bonny Lass o' Byker Hill".

"Byker Hill" and "Walker Shore"...

"Byker Hill" - North East of England coal hauling/ loading song. The pits were on the coast and loading was direct to boats and ships It was dangerous work. Song dates from mid 19th century.
piper - Northumbrian small pipe player (not Scottish pipes)
"Bonny Lass of Byker Hill" - old tune.
Byker Hill, Walker Shore - company coal pits.
creel - a willow basket for hauling coal.
creelman - maker of baskets.
bumble - beer and gin mix.
"Elsie Marley" - old jig for dancing.
the dirt - slang for mine.
clean shirt - rich miners had more than one shirt to wear.
Geordie - term for Tynesider.