I stood on the Terrace green
Surveyed the oldfamiliar scene
As storm against the pier dashed
Sea horses rose, pranced and crashed
Myface was stung by wind and rain
The memoriesflooded back again

The Basin packed on Gala day
Swimmers changingfor thefray
A megaphone calls out their name
As lads and lasses vieforfame
But only champions at the ball
Had cups presented, in the Co-op Hall

The docks they were a wondrous place
For a child to explore and risk a chase
Braving the tunnel so damp and dark
To gaze at coasters, owned by Stevie Clark
The coffeepot rattling to Bessie's Hole
Dock police Ginger, on relentless patrol

Staiths so high, where Teamers ride
Loading the colliers to catch the fide
The Trimmers below, like venerable sages
Using shovels as large, as their secret wages
Man with redflag holds traffic back
For wagonsfilled, with coalfrom the Nack

Ships with pilots at the tiller
Hardy men recruited, from thefamily Miller
Paddle tags chugging past the Greenwall
The Reliant, the Seaham, and the Eppleton Hall
Rockets explode, a boat in distress
Life-boat launched, no time to dress

I saw again the grand old dock
Hewn from the cliff and solid rock
Thronged with cobbles painted bright
The Grap with cargo black as night
Rails filled with crabs and fish
A shilling bought a tasty dish

Coal was the heartbeat, created a town
With harbour, collieries and men of renown
Now Londonderry, McDonald and Shinwell's role
Just memories for old men, to tell and console
I looked at the Harbour and old Featherbed
Something was missing, the heartbeat was dead

Support for this page was provided 
by the Seaham Project.