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Birmingham Lads

  • (John Freeth / Dibden)

    This day for our new navigation
    We banish all cares and vexation
    The sight of the barges each honest heart glads
    And the merriest of mortals are Birmingham lads
    Birmingham Lads, jovial blades
    And the merriest of mortals are Birmingham Lads

    With pride every heart must be glowing
    Stamps, presses and lathes shall be going
    The lads to the wharf with their lasses repair
    And smile at the streamers that play in the air
    Play in the air, free and fair
    And smile at the streamers that play in the air

    Let Stratford's sons boast out of measure
    The fruits of their mulberry treasure
    Such treasure for once may cause Jubilee joys
    But riches spring daily from Birmingham toys
    Birmingham toys, all men praise
    That riches spring daily from Birmingham toys

    The Thames, Severn, Trent and the Avon
    Their countrymen frequently rave on
    But none of their neighbours are happy as they
    Who peacably dwell on the banks of the Rea
    Banks of the Rea, ever gay
    Who peacably dwell on the banks of the Rea

    Not Europe can match us for traffic
    America, Asia and Afric
    Of what we invent each partakes of a share
    For the best of wrought metals is Birmingham ware
    Birmingham ware, none so rare
    For the best of wrought metals is Birmingham ware

    Not used:
    Since by the canal navigation
    Of coals we've the best in the Nation
    Around the gay circle your bumpers then put
    For the cut of all cuts is the Birmingham cut
    Birmingham cut, fairly wrought
    For the cut of all cuts is a Birmingham cut

    As sung by Jon Raven

Susannes Folksong-Notizen

  • [1999:] [The] efforts and hardships of the navvies, craftsmen and engineers were frequently brought to a successful conclusion and the owners were happy to forget the social problems and celebrate the completion of each new canal with a grand opening ceremony befitting the magnificence of the occasion. [...] The company barges, decorated with flags and bunting, carried the proprietors on the first trip along the new navigation, church bells were rung, bands played and salutes of guns were fired. The navvies got their roasted ox and free beer and were allowed to take part in the general festivities before "going tramp" to look for their next job. Special songs were written to celebrate the occasions - exemplified by Birmingham Lads for the opening of the Birmingham Canal in 1769 [...]. (Notes John Kirkpatrick, Jon Raven et al, 'The Bold Navigators')

Quelle: England

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