Posted on another site by Meeroo.


A long time ago you may recall quite well
From a needle to anchor they used to sell
In a variety of shops with the best attention
I can’t name them all, but many I can mention
There were places of worship, places to drink
There was a factory close by where they bottled the ink
Familiar the trade mark, a gracious white swan
Two trams served this route, 45 and 21



The facilities offered were beyond compare
The only street in the city to boast its own fair
A ride on the high flyer, terrific the thrill
And the dusty flour men coming out of the Wilson Mill
The Domestic Mission, the Park Palace, the Florrie
The cow butter stores on the corner of Warrie
Wringers repaired with new rollers and cogs
The animal clinic for sick cats and dogs

Feeling off colour or a pain in your tummy
There is Kennedy’s Chemist on the corner of Northummy
Always well stocked with medical goods
And bad teeth were extracted by dentist Mr Woods
Woolfendens, and Denny’s pawnshop – they accepted pledges
Oven fresh bread from Johnson’s and Black Ledges
Irwin’s, The Maypole in competition with Gates
Spareribs and cabbage from old Postlethwaites

Clarkson’s for bedding, new boots from Lee’s
Or the running shutters, and flowers from Bee’s
John Cook the pork butcher made delicious spice balls
And the tanner hop, in Jack Quinn’s dance hall
The hollow, the big step, quite close to forge crack
The Rat House, the Crows Nest to knock a pint back
Then there was The Flat Iron, The Brass Bars and The Weathercock
Old Clement Troop’s shop for a second hand frock

Bleach, soap and soda to help with the chores
Gas mantles, paraffin and candles from Law’s
Bob’s for a shave, a trim or a shingle
All these facilities in one street in the Dingle
A street full of memories, they linger still sweet
But progress has now changed, the face of Mill Street