David Littler and Tony Berry are both founder members of the band, whilst Steve Millington joined in 1996.
Previous members are Norman Prince (1975 to 1999, 6 string acoustic guitar, 12 string guitar, bass guitar and vocals), John Oliver (1975 to 1976 vocals), Denis Littler (1976 to 1984 bass guitar and vocals) and Jeff Hill (1984 to 1996 and 1999 to 2007 bass Guitar, 6 string acoustic guitar, 12 string guitar, electric guitar and vocals)
They sing mainly English folk music, much of it in Lancashire dialect, and demonstrate an eclectic range of song subjects including "The Blackpool Belle", "Uncle Joe’s Mintballs" and "Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs" (a biographical song about the painter L. S. Lowry).
They are best known for their BBC T.V. show "Sit Thi Deawn" (a Lancashire colloquial corruption of "Sit You Down"; referring to the supposed hospitality of Lancashire people). The programme ran for six series or seven years and was a mixture of easy listening music and comedy for a local audience[1]. The group also starred in six of their own series for BBC Radio 2.
Blackpool Belle
The Houghton Weavers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What a beautiful sight on a Saturday night bound for the illuminations
No mothers and dads just girls and lads young and fancy free
Out for the laughs on the Golden Mile at Blackpool by the sea
I remember - very well
All the happy gang aboard the Blackpool Belle
I remember them pals of mine, when I ride the Blackpool line
Little Piggy Greenfield he was there he thought he was mighty slick
He bought a hat on the Golden Mile the hat said "Kiss Me Quick"
Piggy was a lad for all the girls but he drank too much beer
He made a pass at a Liverpool lass and she pushed him off the pier
lce Cream Sally could never settle down she lived for her Knickerbocker glories
Till she clicked with a bloke who said he was broke but she loved his Ice cream stories
Sally took it all in with a smile and a grin she fell for sailor Jack
They went for a trip to the Isle of Man and never did come back
Some of us went up the Blackpool Tower and others in the Tunnel of Love
A few made off to the Blackpool sands under the pier above
There was always a rush at the midnight hour, but we made it just the same
And I made off with a Liverpool lass, but I never could remember her name
Now the Blackpool Belle has a thousand tales if they could all be told
Many of these I will recall as I am growing old
They were happy days and I miss the times we'd pull the curtains down
And the Passion Wagon would steam back home and we would go to town
The Houghton Weavers's song "Blackpool Belle" captures the essence of young people's excitement going to Blackpool by train from Northern stations, particularly on a Saturday night. The Blackpool Belle, being the getaway train, was the source of great amusement and excitement for people who were out for the laughs on the Golden Mile by the sea. The song describes the people that were aboard the train. There were only young people on the Blackpool Belle, no mothers and dads- boys and girls, happy and fancy-free, ready to enjoy a night of dancing, singing, and making merry on the Golden Mile.
The lyrics describe various characters that were encountered while on the Blackpool Belle. Little Piggy Greenfield, a man who thought he was cool, bought a hat on the Golden Mile that read "Kiss Me Quick." lce Cream Sally, who could never settle down, finally fell for sailor Jack's ice cream stories. The song paints a picture of fun activities that one can do in Blackpool, such as going up the Blackpool Tower, riding the Tunnel of Love, and walking under the pier above the Blackpool Sands.
The song recounts that the Blackpool Belle played a significant role in the memories of the singer over time. It enabled him to form bonds and create memories that would continue to shape his life. As we grow older, we keep recalling our happy memories, and for the singer, listening to stories of the Blackpool Belle helps him relive those happy and enjoyable experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh the Blackpool Belle was a getaway train that went from Northern stations
The Blackpool Belle was a train that departed from Northern stations, used for getaways and weekend trips.
What a beautiful sight on a Saturday night bound for the illuminations
It was an impressive sight to see the train depart on a Saturday night, heading towards the beautiful illuminations.
No mothers and dads just girls and lads young and fancy free
The passengers on board were young girls and boys with no parents, free to do what they pleased.
Out for the laughs on the Golden Mile at Blackpool by the sea
They were always looking for a good time on the famous Golden Mile at Blackpool by the sea.
I remember - very well
The artist has a distinct memory of the events that took place.
All the happy gang aboard the Blackpool Belle
The crowd that was aboard the train were all jovial, having a great time.
I remember them pals of mine, when I ride the Blackpool line
The singer remembers the friends they had while taking the Blackpool line.
And the songs we sang together on the Blackpool Belle
They all sang together on the train, enjoying each other’s company.
Little Piggy Greenfield he was there he thought he was mighty slick
Piggy Greenfield was there on the train, thinking he was cool.
He bought a hat on the Golden Mile the hat said 'Kiss Me Quick'
Piggy bought a hat on the Golden Mile that said 'Kiss Me Quick.'
Piggy was a lad for all the girls but he drank too much beer
Piggy was always interested in girls, but his drinking often led to trouble.
He made a pass at a Liverpool lass and she pushed him off the pier
Piggy made a move on a girl from Liverpool, and she pushed him off the pier in response.
Ice Cream Sally could never settle down she lived for her Knickerbocker glories
Sally was always restless, always chasing after Knickerbocker glories.
Till she clicked with a bloke who said he was broke but she loved his Ice cream stories
Eventually, Sally met a guy who was broke but had a great story about ice cream, and they hit it off.
Sally took it all in with a smile and a grin she fell for sailor Jack
Sally enjoyed life and fell in love with sailor Jack.
They went for a trip to the Isle of Man and never did come back
Sally and Jack went on a trip to the Isle of Man and never returned to the mainland.
Some of us went up the Blackpool Tower and others in the Tunnel of Love
Some of the passengers went to the top of the Blackpool Tower, while others went to the Tunnel of Love.
A few made off to the Blackpool sands under the pier above
Some of them went to the sands under the pier.
There was always a rush at the midnight hour, but we made it just the same
There was always a frantic rush at midnight, but they always managed to make it on time.
And I made off with a Liverpool lass, but I never could remember her name
The artist left with a girl from Liverpool, but he never caught her name.
Now the Blackpool Belle has a thousand tales if they could all be told
The Blackpool Belle has had many interesting stories, if they could only all be shared.
Many of these I will recall as I am growing old
The artist plans to remember and cherish these memories as they grow older.
They were happy days and I miss the times we'd pull the curtains down
Those were happy days, and the singer misses the times when they could close the curtains and enjoy each other's company.
And the Passion Wagon would steam back home and we would go to town
After having a great time on the Blackpool Belle, the Passion Wagon would bring them back home, and they would continue their fun in town.
Contributed by Alexis N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tracieb4085
I'd not heard of this before
Oh the Blackpool Belle was a getaway train that went from Northern stations
What a beautiful sight on a Saturday night bound for the illuminations
No mothers and dads just girls and lads young and fancy free
Out for the laughs on the Golden Mile at Blackpool by the sea
I remember - very well
All the happy gang aboard the Blackpool Belle
I remember them pals of mine, when I ride the Blackpool line
And the songs we sang together on the Blackpool Belle
Little Piggy Greenfield he was there he thought he was mighty slick
He bought a hat on the Golden Mile the hat said "Kiss Me Quick"
Piggy was a lad for all the girls but he drank too much beer
He made a pass at a Liverpool lass and she pushed him off the pier
Lce Cream Sally could never settle down she lived for her Knickerbocker glories
Till she clicked with a bloke who said he was broke but she loved his Ice cream stories
Sally took it all in with a smile and a grin she fell for sailor Jack
They went for a trip to the Isle of Man and never did come back
Some of us went up the Blackpool Tower and others in the Tunnel of Love
A few made off to the Blackpool sands under the pier above
There was always a rush at the midnight hour, but we made it just the same
And I made off with a Liverpool lass, but I never could remember her name
Now the Blackpool Belle has a thousand tales if they could all be told
Many of these I will recall as I am growing old
They were happy days and I miss the times we'd pull the curtains down
And the Passion Wagon would steam back home and we would go to town
@z.wullems6213
so- i’m the only one here from billzo’s stream?-
@avaistall
i'm from there 2
@mattador1996
Nope. Just saw it now on a clips page and his reaction tho!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@stuartscharcarnie1575
Blackpool deserves so much more credit than it gets its fabulous I've been going as a kid since aged 5 I'm 45 now and it's a must every couple of years, lovely folk up there it makes me happy all of it 😊 and so much history
@guillermoflores1332
billzo
@milana5033
yes
@patriciaobrien7481
What a lovely old nostalgic song, very happy memories of Blackpool.
@frasierfreak92
We played this at my granddad's funeral almost 10 years ago, it was his favourite song! Honestly, listening to it again is an experience.
@tom19560000000000000
Howard is still a frequent to our local and is a whizz on the karaoke. He's a most charming individual and has been for the thirty years I've known him. He's from the old school which is reflected in his music. Bless him.
@TheTrainguard
The song refers to the 'Blackpool Dance Specials', trains operated by the LMS and then BR from Manchester and the East Lancashire towns to Blackpool. They began in the 1930s and lasted until the early 1960s, combining a return ticket with admission to the Tower Ballroom. (The Illuminations often featured as an additional attraction.) It was an evening train, departing around teatime, and was popular on Fridays and Saturdays. Girls and women would travel with curlers under their head scarfs and take them out in the ladies lavatory upon arrival. It was patronised by gangs of lads and girls who used the Promenade and the Tower as a 'monkey run' so that they would click'. The carriages were usually compartment stock with no corridors; upon departure from Blackpool, the blinds were pulled down and the bulbs were unscrewed in preparation for the non-stop run to Bolton and beyond. Not for nothing was it known as the 'passion wagon'! It is said that a porter was often detailed to stand at the exit of Bolton Trinity Street with a pigeon basket to collect the light bulbs!The past is truly a foreign country!