(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