Long time ago North and South of the Tyne
Most people worked in the shipyards and the mines
But now it’s a diff’rent world, a sign of the times
They’ll soon be carrying coals to Newcastle

The mines have all closed down from the Tyne to the Tees
The shipyards repair the ships built overseas
And now we’re making motor cars for the Japanese
They’ll soon be carrying coals to Newcastle

Things are changing fast down on Newcastle Quay
Now we’re in the world of high technology
And the tall ships are coming back in nineteen ninety-three
They’ll soon be carrying coals to Newcastle

I always thought that the phrase ‘Carrying Coals to Newcastle’ was a bit of a Geordie-ism, however, it turns out it’s a phrase that has been used around the world since the 1600s.  It means to do something that is pointless.  Newcastle has plenty of coal!

The lyrics of the song speak for themselves really.  It’s an observance of the dramatic changes seen in industry in the area on both sides of the Tyne and the irony that with the closure of the mines they literally would be soon bringing coal to Newcastle. 

What was previously an industry based around the river itself and ironically the movement of coal and people across, up and down the river, had moved onto more factory-based work, initially still connected to the water in shipbuilding and chemical production and moving of goods along the Tyne, moving onto car manufacturing and technology.

By the 1990s when the song was composed the area was known for being a hub of technology parks, featuring an array of call centres.  Things haven’t stood still since the 1990s. These days the focus on technology continues but is on software development, tech support and the gaming industry.  Alongside that, the growth of the Higher Education sector has meant a focus on making advances in sciences and healthcare.  Both Newcastle and Gateshead have also in recent decades had a major focus on culture and tourism.

The contrast between technology and the return of the tall ships I think speaks to the fact that things can be cyclical. The Tall Ships Race has visited Newcastle & Gateshead three times now – 1986, 1993 and 2005. We’ll always be connected to our history and traditions as proud Geordies. Meanwhile the cities on the river will continue to look to the future, evolving, renegerating and growing.