Here's some little known background on the following line:

He'd craal away an' lap his tail, ten times roond Penshar hill.

It is usually thought that the 'Penshaw Hill' mentioned in the song is the hill now called Penshaw Hill, upon which, many years ago, Lord Lambton built a mock Greek Temple (now referred to as Penshaw Monument).

Not so! I recall my grandmother telling me (some 50 years ago) that the real 'Penshaw Hill' of the song is about a mile away on the other bank of the River Wear - just next to Fatfield Bridge. This small hill (known of old as Worm Hill) is where the Worm wrapped its tail ... and there is allegedly a path around the base of this small hill where - to this day - the grass still refuses to grow!

I must go and check that out one day.

Brian Childs

PS.

... the line in question is usually phrased locally as:

He'd ha'ad away an' wrap his tail ten times roon Penshaw Hill.