Walking on cobbled stones, little bits of skin and bone
Jumping on a tram car for a ride
I can remember when, I was a just a boy of ten
Hanging around the old Quayside.
Now all the capstans and the cargo boats
And Stevadores are gone
To where all the old ships go
But memories, just like the sea live on
'Cause that was when coal was King
The river was a living thing
And I was just a boy but it was mine
The coaly Tyne.
This was a big river
I want you all to know
That I was proud
This was a big river
But that was long ago
That's not now, that's not now
My father was working man
He earned our living with his hands
He had to cross the river every day
He picked up his Union card, out of the Neptune yard
Mouths to feed and bills to pay
There came a time for him to sail across the sea and far away
And finally when the war was won
They brought him home and home he stayed
And when his days were done
Under a golden sun
They took him back to where he longed to be
Back to the sea
This was a big river
I want you all to know
That I was proud
This was a big river
But that was long ago
That's not now, that's not now.
The Neptune was the last to go
I heard it on the radio
And then they played the latest number one
But what do they do all day
And what are they supposed to say
What does a father tell his son?
If you believe that there's a bond between our future and our past
Try to hold on to what we have
We build them strong, we built to last
'Cause this is a mighty town
Build upon solid ground
And everything they've tried so hard to kill
We will rebuild.
This is a big river
I want you all to know I'm so very proud
This is a big river
But that was long ago
That's not now
This is a big, big river
And in my heart I know it will rise again
The river will rise again.
Worked at Heathrow when this was out. Staying in Slough. The steward of Slough working mens club told me he always knew when i was in bar, i asked how,he said that song comes on jukebox and i say, the Geordies are in again. Made me proud. Gan on Jimmy.
Author: steesh52 - 4 months, 2 weeks ago
2
im a smoggie meself, still makesme think of the north-east tho, newcastle, middlesbrough, hartlepool, good times
Author: MrRudeboymod1 - 1 month, 3 weeks ago
3
He can certainly sing,but by god he`s a terrible actor...horrendous!
Author: JigglerOnTheRoof - 3 months, 1 week ago
4
me too mate jimmy nail you rock
Author: boombya123 - 5 months, 2 weeks ago
5
aye its all gone to the jocks, epic song this makes me proud to be a geordie
Author: cssbeast - 5 months ago
6
newcastle the best. because i live ther in the west end
Author: MrMichaeladdison - 1 month, 2 weeks ago
7
@JigglerOnTheRoof You're wrong! He's a great actor. just a shame he can't do many 'accents'! I want him to make a musical comeback. His albums are ok, better than the X Factor shite they have today!
Author: ScabbyGet - 2 months, 2 weeks ago
8
Classic tune.
Author: pbuk - 2 months, 3 weeks ago
9
sweet song makes me proud to be from the north east
Author: ryanc4992 - 5 months, 3 weeks ago
10
I'm an exiled Geordie. I was up there this weekend and walked along the Quayside with this song in my head. Makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.
Author: 6diddy6 - 4 months, 3 weeks ago
11
i can sooo relate to this song. theres a big river where i live! you make me so proud jimmy nail!
Author: goosetits - 5 months, 3 weeks ago
12
Worked on building rigs on the Tyne myself.
Now all gone and even the yards that took the work are idle now
Author: geniebiker - 6 months ago
13
when i hear this song it makes me feel such a long way from home. One day ill come back there to stay, no more roaming
Author: flash51050 - 4 months, 3 weeks ago
14
I can relate to thiscssbeast. Im a black country lad and seen the devasting blows to industries in my area its all houses now that no 1 can afford cus all the factories have gone to build them