As it seems I may be the only Hartlepudlian (though exiled in Bradford) around here I'd just like to add my tuppence worth.

As I understand it, the song refers to the old town of Hartlepool, the Heugh, and not to the larger settlemtnt of West Hartlepool which was just a collection of villages I think at the time the song is set. Therefore you will probably find that those of us from West are not upset by the song at all as there was always a healthy rivalry between the two towns. I remember the ceremonial hanging of the monkey at the folk club in the Nursery and I'm glad to see that this is still continuing. I first heard the song sung by Alan Todd at the club who also had another brilliant (self penned?) song called, I think, ' No more Frying Bacon' which was a play on 'No more firing Beacons' - now if anyone has the words to that one I'd love to see them - the line I remember is 'You'll have to buy paatties from Verill's Fish Shop'

Cheers
Joe G