I made this song from a beautifully evocative poem written by 19th century Dales dialect writer Thomas Blackah of Greenhow. It is a satirical and deadly accurate description of local ‘stirrings’ in those far off (and poverty stricken) days. Whether or not Blackah was acquainted with Ridley’s ‘Blaydon Races’ I do not know – but here he does an as good (if not better!) job!
Jim Jarratt. Mytholmroyd. 2006