Child of Merseyside       (Rosie Hardman 1967, approx)

I was born down in Manchester
Way back in 'forty-five
They call her the rainy city,
And it's true while I'm alive.
I swore if I had the money,
And I'd still the strength to run,
I'd leave that River Mersey,
And I'd find myself the sun,

Chorus:
Oh, and I think of her where e'er I go,
Wherever I may 'bide
Liverpool to Manchester,
Along the flowing tide,
I raise my glass into the air,
And I drink to her with pride
For each of us was born
A child of Merseyside.

When I was young, I used to say
The countryside's for me.
Away from all the chimneystacks,
The mills and industry.
I'd leave the dirty waters
Of the old Ship Canal,
But now I feel that I'd be leaving
My oldest pal.

(chorus)

As I grew up, I used to dream
Of Canada's green pines.
Longed to see the grapes of France,
And tread them from the vines,
Dreamt of all the treasures
When the open road was mine,
But now that River Mersey,
Well, she's filled my heart and mind.

(chorus)

From Wallasey to Wavertree,
Through Allerton and Hale,
Widnes up to Warrington,
And onwards into Sale.
See the many ships
As they sail upon the sea,
They'll carry many cargoes,
But they'll never carry me.