A traditional Tyneside folk song evoking the life and work of the keelmen of Newcastle on Tyn
[Lower voices:]
As I came thro’ Sandgate,
Thro’ Sandgate, thro’ Sandgate,
As I came thro’ Sandgate,
I heard a lassie sing (x2)
[chorus]
Weel may the keel row, the keel row, the keel row,
Weel may the keel row that my laddie’s in.
[All voices:]
He wears a blue bonnet,
Blue bonnet, blue bonnet,
He wears a blue bonnet
A dimple on his chin (x2)
[chorus]
O wha’s like my Johnnie,
Sae leish, sae blithe, sae bonnie?
He’s foremost ‘mang the mony
Keel lads o’ coaly Tyne (x2)
[chorus] x2