I had the fortune of securing tickets to the Newcastle United match last weekend. Beyond the excitement on the field, the familiar chords of the Blaydon Races song echoed through the stadium sound system, not once, but twice. Each note further electrified an already charged atmosphere.
To the uninitiated, the Blaydon Races might sound like just another tune. But to a Geordie, it’s an anthem, a deep-seated part of our identity. From a genealogical perspective, it’s also a key to our past, offering insights into the lives of our Newcastle ancestors.
Written in 1862 by Geordie Ridley, the song vividly paints a day at the races in Newcastle’s bygone days—highlighting the characters, fashions, and essence of the time.
Genealogy, at its core, pieces together our ancestral puzzle. Songs like the Blaydon Races serve as invaluable pieces, offering context. Picture tracing a 19th-century Newcastle ancestor: this song might shed light on their recreational activities, favourite landmarks, or even slang words of the era.
If one of your ancestors lived in Newcastle during this period, it’s conceivable they might have attended the actual Blaydon Races, standing amid the jubilant crowds.
For me, being so close to Blaydon growing up, the song is also a personal journey through my ancestry, tying me to family stories rooted deeply in the region. Hearing our anthem at the match was more than nostalgia; it was a bridge between past and present, linking us to our Geordie lineage. Through genealogy, we can further explore these ties, discovering personal tales within our collective history. Here’s to the melodies that echo our stories and to the rich heritage of Newcastle. Cheers!
Find the full lyrics and other information about the song here: HERE