Lyr Req: The Railwayman's Farewell to Darlington

Subject: Lyr Req: The railwayman's farewell to darlington
From: GUEST,Maloclm Speake
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 02:54 PM

Has anyone got the words to the railwayman's farewell to darlington by Graeme Miles? I think it's about Dr Beeching's cuts and this chap leaving Darlington to join the army.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Railwayman's Farewell to Darlington
From: Jim Martin
Date: 30 Mar 13 - 07:02 AM

It's on here:

http://folktrax-archive.org/menus/cassprogs/222miles2.htm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Railwayman's Farewell to Darlington
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Jul 13 - 02:51 AM

Still unanswered. Can somebody post lyrics?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Railwayman's Farewell to Darlington
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 20 Jul 13 - 01:08 PM

I think this is just about it, but I'm prepared to stand corrected...

Railwayman's Farewell To Darlington
(Graeme Miles)

(The refrain "Fare ye well to Darlington, me boys" recurs after each line of the verse.)
I'm a railwayman from Darlington and I've had the golden wag
I'm off to join the army, just the same as our young lad
I'm a railwayman from Darlington and I've drawn me final pay
I'm posted off to Catterick camp and I'm marching off today

(Chorus:)
Well I've handed in me shiny top cap and me suit of railway blue
I've swopped 'em for a battle-dress and a gun and a bayonet too
And I've written to Doctor Beeching and I've told him what to do
So fare ye well to Darlington me boys


Well me mam she never stopped moaning as she packed me gear away
But she soon shut up when I promised to send her five bob a week of me pay
But me dad he sees it different and he doesn't have much to say
Just a year or two as a serviceman will change me idle ways

(Chorus)

Well tonight I'll go down Tubwell Row and I'll meet up with the lads
We'll drink a steady pint or two and lash out with the fags
'Cos I'm a railwayman from Darlington and I've had the golden wag
And I'm off to join the army, just the same as our young lad

(Chorus)

(After final repeat of chorus:)
………. Fare ye well to Darlington me boys.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Railwayman's Farewell to Darlington
From: GUEST,Bn Wells
Date: 24 Nov 13 - 02:07 PM

Great Lyrics

Subject: Lyr ADD: The Railwayman's Farewell to Darlington
From: maeve
Date: 12 Jan 14 - 07:05 AM

Seems to me that MoorleyMan has done the work of posting lyrics. Can anyone verify accuracy for the DT Busy Bees?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Railwayman's Farewell to Darlington
From: GUEST,#
Date: 17 Mar 21 - 09:28 AM

The lyrics match with the following performance by Peter Burnham

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T3Za-8CIMw

Where MoorleyMan wrote 5 bob, PB says 10. But nothing major, so MoorleyMan's post should be a


LYRIC ADD

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Railwayman's Farewell to Darlington
From: JHW
Date: 19 Mar 21 - 06:20 AM

Two ads in this thread say 'Everyone over 55 is rushing to get these... glasses'. I'm over 55 and I'm not.
Surely there should be some law about lies in ads.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Railwayman's Farewell to Darlington
From: GUEST,James E
Date: 17 Aug 25 - 12:41 PM

There are slightly different words to this, and an extra verse, in Ailsa MacKenzie's new biography of Graeme Miles, Shadows and Whispers. Apparently this is transcribed from a recording by Graeme:

I'm a railwayman fro' Darlington but I've 'ad the golden wag
Fare-yer-well to Darlington me boys
So I'm going to join the infantry the same as our young lad
Fare-yer-well to Darlington me boys

Chorus:
Well I'm 'andin' in me shiny topped cap and me suit of railway blue
I've swapped them for a battle-dress and a gun and a bayonet too
And I've written to Doctor Beeching an' I've told 'im what to do
So fare-yer-well to Darlington me boys

I'm a railwayman from Darlington and I've drawn me final pay
Fare-yer-well to Darlington me boys
I'm posted off to Catterick camp and I'm marchin' away today
Fare-yer-well to Darlington me boys

Chorus

Well me mam she can't stop cryin' since she packed me gear away
Fare-yer-well to Darlington me boys
But she soon shut up when I promised to send 'er ten bob a week of me pay
Fare-yer-well to Darlington me boys

Chorus

But me dad 'e sees it diff'rently and 'e's nothin' much to say
Fare-yer-well to Darlington me boys
'Cept a year or two in the infantry'll change me terrible ways
Fare-yer-well to Darlington me boys

Chorus

Last night I went off into the town to say cheerio to the lads
Fare-yer-well to Darlington me boys
I bought 'em all a pint apiece and I lashed out with the fags
Fare-yer-well to Darlington me boys

Chorus

On Priest Coat Corner never no more me mates o' mine I'll meet
Fare-yer-well to Darlington me boys
No more I'll roll down Tubwell Row or through the Feetham streets
Fare-yer-well to Darlington me boys

Chorus

(I think "Priest Coat" might be a mishearing of "Priestgate" but haven't checked with the author.)