The Bradford Canal
© Eddie Lawler 2012
Recorded by Eddie Lawler
Attention all passengers aboard this boat
Here’s a health warning before we start
Draw a deep breath if you intend to sing
’Cos this song STINKS
Now the life of a bargeman’s not cosy or easy
But he doesn’t get scurvy and he shouldn’t get seasick
With a boat for a home and a family for crew
There’s goods to be carried and plenty to do
But there’s one trip too far for a bargeman’s morale
That’s taking a cargo on the Bradford Canal
Chorus:
Oh the stink, oh the smell
You’ll be forgiven for thinking it’s hell
Oh the stink, oh the smell
Steer well away from the Bradford Canal
It’s a navvy-built section from t’ Liverpool-Leeds
Making Bradford’s connection to West and to East
From Shipley Junction it’s just three-and-half miles
But with ten locks to tackle takes more than a while
And once you’ve unloaded at t’ Hoppy Bridge end
It’s ten locks all over to get out again
Chorus: Oh the stink,.....
As transport for boats what’s the water was meant
But this stretch of water’s a deadly dead-end
Not used just for transport but everything else
Especially the nasty stuff poured out from t’mills
Which spring up like mushrooms along both its banks
Manufacturing water that’s reeking and rank
Chorus: Oh the stink,.....
To t’solvent and dyestuff from t’making of cloth
Add human detritus tipped neat into t’broth
Which wafts all round Windhill when t’ wind blows from t’West
And spreads typhus and cholera to those who ingest
The contents explosive, it might well ignite
By t’ Bradford Canal please there’s no naked lights
Chorus: Oh the stink, oh the smell
Steer well away from the Bradford Canal
Oh the stench, oh the reek
The odour will stick with you many a week
Oh the niff, oh the pong
You’ve just been singing the smelliest song
Oh the stink oh the smell
Steer well away from the Bradford Canal
Many thanks to Eddie Lawler for providing the lyrics and recording (from his fifth album entitled 'Bradford Canal
and Other Tales'). Eddie comments that this is the only canal (to his knowledge) that's been closed twice. Who am I to
disagree? More information about Eddie Lawler and the opportunity to purchase his CDs can be found on his website.
The Bradford Canal
© Eddie Lawler 2012
Recorded by Eddie Lawler
Attention all passengers aboard this boat
Here’s a health warning before we start
Draw a deep breath if you intend to sing
’Cos this song STINKS
Now the life of a bargeman’s not cosy or easy
But he doesn’t get scurvy and he shouldn’t get seasick
With a boat for a home and a family for crew
There’s goods to be carried and plenty to do
But there’s one trip too far for a bargeman’s morale
That’s taking a cargo on the Bradford Canal
Chorus:
Oh the stink, oh the smell
You’ll be forgiven for thinking it’s hell
Oh the stink, oh the smell
Steer well away from the Bradford Canal
It’s a navvy-built section from t’ Liverpool-Leeds
Making Bradford’s connection to West and to East
From Shipley Junction it’s just three-and-half miles
But with ten locks to tackle takes more than a while
And once you’ve unloaded at t’ Hoppy Bridge end
It’s ten locks all over to get out again
Chorus: Oh the stink,.....
As transport for boats what’s the water was meant
But this stretch of water’s a deadly dead-end
Not used just for transport but everything else
Especially the nasty stuff poured out from t’mills
Which spring up like mushrooms along both its banks
Manufacturing water that’s reeking and rank
Chorus: Oh the stink,.....
To t’solvent and dyestuff from t’making of cloth
Add human detritus tipped neat into t’broth
Which wafts all round Windhill when t’ wind blows from t’West
And spreads typhus and cholera to those who ingest
The contents explosive, it might well ignite
By t’ Bradford Canal please there’s no naked lights
Chorus: Oh the stink, oh the smell
Steer well away from the Bradford Canal
Oh the stench, oh the reek
The odour will stick with you many a week
Oh the niff, oh the pong
You’ve just been singing the smelliest song
Oh the stink oh the smell
Steer well away from the Bradford Canal
Many thanks to Eddie Lawler for providing the lyrics and
recording (from his fifth album entitled 'Bradford Canal and Other
Tales'). Eddie comments that this is the only canal (to his knowledge)
that's been closed twice. Who am I to disagree? More information
about Eddie Lawler and the opportunity to purchase his CDs can be
found on his website.