"Byker Hill" is a traditional English folk song about coal miners, Roud 3488 that has been performed by many contemporary acts. There are at least three different tunes to which the song is sung. Byker Hill is in the east end of Newcastle, as is the adjoining district of Walker, also mentioned in the song. "Byker Hill and Walker Shore, Collier lads for ever more" The earliest versions of this song use the title "Walker Pits" as in the publication Rhymes of Northern Bards (1812) where it is song number 36. It was included in A.L. Lloyd's collection "Come all ye bold miners", still with the earlier title.

Lyrics

I If I had another penny I would have another gill I would make the piper play The bonny lass of Byker Hill Chorus: Byker Hill and Walker Shore Collier lads for ever more Byker Hill and Walker Shore Collier lads for ever more II The pitman and the keelman trim They drink bumble made from gin Then to dance they do begin To the tune of Elsie Marley Chorus: Byker Hill and Walker Shore Collier lads for ever morе Byker Hill and Walker Shore Colliеr lads for ever more III When first I went down to the dirt I had no cowl nor no pitshirt Now I've gotten two or three Walker Pit's done well by me Chorus: Byker Hill and Walker Shore Collier lads for ever more Byker Hill and Walker Shore Collier lads for ever more IV Geordie Charlton, he had a pig You hit it with a shovel and it danced a jig All the way to Walker Shore To the tune of Elsie Marley Chorus: Byker Hill and Walker Shore Collier lads for ever more Byker Hill and Walker Shore Collier lads for ever more I (again) If I had another penny I would have another gill I would make the piper play The bonny lass of Byker Hill Chorus: Byker Hill and Walker Shore Collier lads for ever more Byker Hill and Walker Shore Collier lads for ever more Chorus: Byker Hill and Walker Shore Collier lads for ever more Byker Hill and Walker Shore Collier lads for ever more

Notable versions of "Byker Hill"