Ship Canal Song by Mr John Kirkham Recorded by Harry Boardman To bring big ships to Manchester Is what we mean to do If you delight in smaller craft Then “paddle your own canoe” From Throstle Nest or Barton Bridge Just as it may suit you You'll sail direct to any port On board an Ocean Screw Chorus : Then love your neighbour as yourself We'll sing while sailing through The ship canal to Manchester On board our Ocean Screw Monopoly has vexed me long It’s done the like by you Down with the monster in the mud And give fair play its due Then cotton, timber, corn and beef Will come to us quite through And ham and eggs and well-filled kegs With savoury things for you You'll see great ships from distant climes And men of every hue Lay earth's vast bounties at your feet And take your goods in lieu Then trade will flourish all around And peace and plenty too And every thrifty man, you'll see Will “paddle his own canoe” Ye working men of Manchester It much depends on you Come put your “shoulders to the wheel” And “paddle your own canoe” Hoorah! then for the Ship Canal Three cheers, my boys for you Look up your rusting implements There's lots of work in view Ye merchant men oppressed by dues And inland charges too You must support this noble scheme And “paddle your grand canoe” Then docks and wharves and works you’ll see Like magic rise to view You’ll pass them all along the line When on your Ocean Screw Some men will “rest upon their oars” Like a faint hearted crew You firmly grasp and “ply” them well And “paddle your own canoe” And now, my friends, my song is done One parting word to you Take up its strains and sing them out “We’ll paddle our own canoe” This song was written by ‘a well known timber merchant’ Mr John Kirkham. Some verses were sung by Harry Boardman as musical interludes in the 1969 radio programme celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the opening of the Manchester Ship Canal. More details here.