Dudley Canal Tunnel Song - Push, Boys, Push

Dudley Canal Tunnel was opened in 1792 and as it had no towing path, boats had to be legged through. The tunnel contains old limestone workings, and is not a simple straight-through tunnel. In 1978, Mikron Theatre Company performed in a large cavern inside Dudley Tunnel. Mike Lucas played Isambard Kingdom Brunel in What A Way To Go. Both the cast and the audience arrived in the cavern by narrow boat!

The closure of the canal was proposed in 1959 but a group of enthusiasts resisted the closure, forming what became the Dudley Canal Trust. The words to "Push Boys Push" were written, circa 1966, during a trip through Dudley Tunnel by Glyn Phillips and other members of the then Dudley Canal Tunnel Preservation Society, and later added to the tune composed by Glyn.

The various features referred to in the song are: Castle Mill - a basin open to the surface; Cathedral Arch - the underground junction of two tunnels; the Well - an air shaft; the Jail - a kink in the tunnel. Jon Raven took the song and performed a slightly different version. (Information kindly provided by Tony Gregory).

We're going though this tunnel, push boys push
We're trying to save this tunnel, push boys push
It's the pride of Dudley Town And they're trying to close it down
So, push boys push Ho! push boys push

We'll go through Castle Mill, push boys push
Cathedral Arch as well, push boys push
There's no more fresh-air smell When you pass by the Well
So, push boys push Ho! push boys push

The boat's been going through, push boys push
Since seventeen-ninety-two, push boys push
It's a crime and it's a shame That we cannot do the same
So, push boys push Ho! push boys push

Don't let your strength to fail, push boys push
'Cos we're coming to the Jail, push boys push
We may get stuck inside If the boat it is too wide
So, push boys push Ho! push boys push

The tunnel's two miles long, push boys push
That's why we sing this song, push boys push
It keeps our spirits high While we cannot see the sky
So, push boys push Ho! push boys push

And now we're coming nigh, push boys push
Oh don't you see the sky, push boys push
We'll have a celebration Now we've sung it to the nation
So, push boys push Ho! push boys push