Workington way, when lads left school
just the pit and foundry beckon
young Joe went doen to hew the coal
but not for long, so some folks reckoned.
For Joe could tackle hard and Joe could run
he only needed time for growing,
and soon he'd signed his to play
and to the city went away

The reference to Jarrow is the Jarrow hunger marches of 1936

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/society_culture/protest_reform/jarrow_04.shtml