Back Buchanan Street
by Harry and Gordon Dison

(A 1960s song about Liverpool slum clearance, and the relocation of Liverpool people to new towns on the margins of Merseyside)

This fella from the corpy, just out of planning school
Has told us that we're being moved right out of Liverpool
They're sending us to Kirkby, or Skelmersdale or Speke
Don't want to go from all I know in Back Buchanan Srteet

We'll miss a lot of small things like putting out the cat
There's no back door on the fourteenth floor of a Unit-Camus flat
Don't want to go to Kirkby, or Skelmersdale or Speke
Don't want to go from all I know in Back Buchanan Street

The fog horns on the Mersey and we'll miss the old Pier Head
The short cuts through the jiggers as we stagger home to bed
Don't want to go to Kirkby, to Skelmersdale or Speke
Don't want to go from all I know in Back Buchanan Street

The pub around the corner with the gents across the yard
The friendly local chippy where the chips are cooked in lard
Don't want to go to Kirkby, or Skelmersdale or Speke
Don't want to go from all I know in Back Buchanan Street

We'll miss the Mary Ellens and me Dad will miss the Docks
Me Gran will miss our wash-house where she washed me Grand-Dad's socks
Don't want to go to Kirby, or Skelmersdale or Speke
Don't want to go from all I know Back Buchanan Street

They've pulled down Paddy's Market where me Ma once had a stall
And soon them picks and shovels will be through our back yard wall
Don't want to go to Kirkby, or Skelmersdale or Speke
Don't want to go from all I know in Back Buchanan Street

From Walton to the Dingle you'll hear the same old cry
Stop messing round with Liverpool at least until I die
Don't want to go to Kirkby, or Skelmersdale or Speke
Don't want to go from all I know in Back Buchanan Street