Verse 1
We had no way of staying a float
We had to leave on the ferry-boat
Economic refugees
On the run to Germany
We had the back of Maggie’s hand
Times were tough in Geordieland
We got wor tools and working gear
And humped it all from Newcastle to here
Chorus 1
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Verse 2
We’re nomad tribes, travelling boys
In the dust and the dirt and the wrecking noise
Drills and hammers, diggers and picks
Mixing concrete, laying bricks
There’s English, Irish, Scots, the lot
United Nation’s what we’ve got
Brickies, Chippies, every trade
German building, British-made
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Nae more work on Maggie’s farm
Hidaway down the auto-bahn
Mine’s a porta cabin bed
Or a bunk in a Nissan hut instead
There’s plenty Deutschmarks here to earn
And German tarts are wunderschon
German beer is chemical- free
Germany’s alright with me
Some times I miss my river Tyne
But you’re my pretty Fraulein
Tonight we’ll drink the old town dry
Keep wor spirit levels high
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Some times I miss my river Tyne
But you’re my pretty Fraulein
Tonight we’ll drink the old town dry
Keep wor spirit levels high
Some times I miss my river Tyne
But you’re my pretty Fraulein
Tonight we’ll drink the old town dry
Keep wor spirit levels high