The New Fish Market
Tune- Scots come o'er the BorderChorus-
March! march to the Dandy Fish Market!
See what our Corporation's done for you,
By pillars and paling so nobly surrounded,
And your stone tables all standing before you.Where's there a river so fam'd in the nation?
Where's the bold tars that so well grace their station?
Coals, fish, and grindstones--we'll through the world bark it--
And now we ha'e gotten a bonny Fish Market,Oh! did the fish ken they'd be caged like a birdie,
(Euphy, the Queen, singing, Maw canny Geordie),
They'd pop out their heads then, should ye only watch them,
And call on the fisherment sharply to catch them.Yet all isn't right, tho'-- in time you may hear it;
One wek is past, and but one cart's come near it:
The loons above stairs preconcerted the order,
And hinder poor bodies to hawk through the border.Gan to the coast--where's the fishermen's weeding--
Gan to the fells-- where the cuddies are feeding--
Gan to hell's kitchen--should ye have occasion--
Ye'll see hizzies drinking through spite nad vexation.Where's Madgie's troops that so well could shout oysters?
Gon to a convent or nunnery cloisters!
Where's the wee shop, that once held Jack the Barber?
Gone to make room for the fish brought to harbour!Then hie to the Custom-house, add to your pleasures,
Now you're well cover'd so toom the new measures:
It ne'er will be finish'd I'll wager a groat,
Till they've cut a canal to admit five-men boats!William Midford-In: The Newcastle Song Book or Tyne-Side Songster., W&T Fordyce
Newcastle Upon Tyne.