Durham Gaol

Ye'll all have heard o' Durham Gaol
But it wad ye much surprise
To see the prisoners in the yard
When they're on their exercise
Cos the yard is built aroond wi' walls
So noble an' so strong
Whoever goes there has to bide their time
Be it short or lang

There's no luck in Durham Gaol
There's no good luck at all
What is bread and' skilly for
If just te make ye small?

When ye gan to Durham Gaol
They'll find ye with employ
They'll dress ye up so dandy
In a suit o' corduroy
They'll fletch yer cap without a peak
An' never ask yer size
An' like yer suit it's corduroy
An' it comes down o'er yer eyes

There's no luck in Durham Gaol
There's no good luck at all
What is bread and' skilly for
If just te make ye small?

No, there's no luck in Durham Gaol
There's no good luck at all
What is bread and' skilly for
If just te make ye small?

The first month is the worst of all
Yer feelins they will try
With nowt but two great lumps o' wood
On which ye have to lie
Them after that ye'll get yer bed
But it's as hard as stones
At night ye never make a turn
For fear ye'll break yer bones

There's no luck in Durham Gaol
There's no good luck at all
What is bread and' skilly for
If just te make ye small?

No, there's no luck in Durham Gaol
There's no good luck at all
What is bread and' skilly for
If just te make ye small?

All kinds o' work are gannon on
Upon them noble flats
Teasin oakum, makin balls
And weavin coco mats
When ye gan in ye may be thin
But they can make ye thinner
If yer oakum isn't teased, ye know
They're sure to stop yer dinner

The shoes ye get are often tens
The smallest size are nines
They're big enough to make a skiff
For Boyd upon the Tyne
An' if ye should be cold at night
Just make yerself at home
Wrap yer clothes aroond yer shoes
An'get inside o'them

There's no luck in Durham Gaol
There's no good luck at all
What is bread and' skilly for
If just te make ye small?

No, there's no luck in Durham Gaol
There's no good luck at all
What is bread and' skilly for
If just te make ye small?

No, there's no luck in Durham Gaol
There's no good luck at all
What is bread and' skilly for
If just te make ye small?