Working the BCN Words - Teresa Fuller Tune - Phil Clayton Recorded by The Light Side I’ve toiled along the Old Main Line, I’ve toiled on the New Heaved bricks from California ‘cross the Dudley Number Two, I’ve broken me back fetching nutty slack from Cannock through to Brum, But by far my most delicious load was Cadbury’s chocolate crumb, Cadbury’s chocolate crumb, my lads, Cadbury’s chocolate crumb, By far my most delicious load was Cadbury’s chocolate crumb. I’ve taken sand to Smethwick for Chance’s Lighthouse Glass Hauled barley, malt and hops and yeast for Burton’s Brewery Bass Whilst we’re on ingredients I’ve fetched mo lasses for HP sauce I’ve even shifted chests of tea, for Ooh Typhoo of course Ooh Typhoo, of course, my lads, Ooh Typhoo of course, I’ve even shifted chests of tea, for Ooh Typhoo of course. I’ve been up and down the ‘Ampton flight, for ever I’ve done those locks, But I’ve never drawn a paddle from there to all the docks, In fact I’ve never touched a tiller and in case you haven’t guessed I’m a legendary boat horse, yes, I was one of the best, I was one of the best, my lads, I was one of the best I’m a legendary boat horse, yes, I was one of the best. In 2019, on the 250th anniversary of the opening of the original Birmingham Canal into the town, Phil Clayton put together a musical, Birmingham Lads .... and Friends, telling something of the history of the canals in the Birmingham and Black Country area. Although focusing on the BCN itself, it started from a song he’d written for the 2012 Golden Anniversary of the ‘Battle of Stourbridge’, The Lions of Stourbridge. Over the years Phil added more songs, mixing contemporary songs, of which this is one, and more up to date canal standards to make an hour long show supported by much visual material. The group The Light Side performed the musical for the BCN Society’s celebratory cruise into Brum marking the anniversary at the Crescent Theatre’s Studio. The show is available on DVD and can be viewed on this website here.