The Newlands School Song

I found the Newland's School song on Russell W Barnes' excellent web site (http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~rwbarnes/workgton/newlands.htm)

He has an aerial photograph in Flikr's Workington pool, which contains over 500 photographs of the town.

The Newlands School Song

On northern shores by grey seas washed;

A wild sky greyer yet,

Afar the lakeland mountains rise

And here our school is set.

Long years upon her wind-swept hill,

She gathers to her hall,

Sons of a warlike border race

Who come to learning's call.

Keep we the courage of our sires

The strong heart of our steel,

Yet walk in ways of gentleness,

In faith and honour deal.

From cowardice, from lust of gold,

From sloth and cruelty,

From narrow creeds and selfish aims

Be all thy children free.

May all who bear the Newlands name,

Who once her badge have worn,

Who here together worked and played,

Be one as brothers born.

School set upon the windy hill

By sea and mountains girt,

Ne'er we vow by deed of ours

Shall thy fair name be hurt.

Source: Russell thanks Jeff Wilson for this copy of the song and David Mc Creedy who remembers it being sung to the tune 'The Ministrel Boy'.

Try Russell's main site: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~rwbarnes/index.htm

The Workington Grammar School Song

I left school nearly 40 years ago, but I remember really enjoying singing the school song. Verse three was a particular favourite, because our night sky regularly glowed bright red above Moss Bay Steelworks and slag heaps dotted the landscape. Verse three had grit!

In fact it felt like a song not just for school but for the town. Today, I can see it is a very effective work, where the local history lines support phrases promoting a positive attitude to living with a noble purpose. It advocates good solid citizenship.

The Original Workington Grammar School Song

(by HD Rawnsley)

Where Cuthbert's body sought the sea

And Scottish Mary sought the land,

As glad as Derwent flowing free

We boys and girls are hand in hand,*

All vowed to seek from early youth

The Sea of Knowledge, Land of Truth.

We are but young, but we shall grow

To be the helpers of our time,

If adding to whate'er we know

We feel that knowing less is crime,*

And strive with heart and soul awake

To work for Cumberland's dear sake.

There, free from slag, by flame refined,

The red-hot streams of metal pour,

Here, warmed with zeal, afire of mind

We smelt for use eternal ore-

The gold of purpose sought and won

In this fair School of Workington.**

Flow Derwent flow, rise Solway rise,

Ye but obey a higher rule,

And we who would be true and wise

Obedient to the law of school*

Must learn on earth, in Heaven above,

That wisdom's noblest law is love.

* These three lines never seemed to work for me. So, as a challenge I have decided to create my own personal alternatives. My mind is asking, 'How can this piece be developed into a Workington song or chant willingly and enthusiastically adopted by crowds at today's sporting events?' We sing the National Anthem, 'Land of Hope and Glory', 'Swing Low' so why not a Wukit'n song?

** The word 'school' could be changed to 'town'

If a local school is thinking of having a school song, this may be an excellent place to start. Or mix it with the Newland's School Song