The song is quoted from the author's manuscript in Allan's as follows: \relative c''
Tune: "Brighton".
History
Ridley sang the song at a concert in Balmbra's Music Hall on 5 June 1862. It is likely that on this occasion the song ended with the exhortation to see Ridley's show on 9 June, and that the final verse was added for that later performance. Although the account of the trip to Blaydon is a fiction, the heavy rain and missing cuddy were reported in the local press. The song was adopted as its marching anthem by the British Army Infantry soldiers of the Fifth of Foot, of Fenham Barracks, Newcastle upon Tyne. Today it is the Regimental Song of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, the modern descendants of The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.
Places mentioned
"Scotswood Road" was and still is a long road parallel to the left bank of the river Tyne, running westwards from Newcastle city to Benwell and Scotswood, and which at the time of the song ran through industrial and working-class areas. "Airmstrang's factory" was a large engineering works at Elswick, which made large guns and other firearms. The "Robin Adair" was a pub on Scotswood Road which has since been demolished. Paradise is a reference to the local dump on Scotswood Road.
150th anniversary campaign
In December 2010 an online petition was launched calling for "...a clear and sustained commitment on the part of Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead Councils to work hand-in-hand with the Geordie people...to help deliver an appropriate celebration of the 150th anniversary of Mr George Ridley's world-famous anthem of Tyneside." On 9 November 2011, Chi Onwurah MP presented a parliamentary petition to the Speaker of the House of Commons in support of the campaign. From August 2011, campaign group members were in discussions with the two councils. As a result of these discussions, the core campaign objective of delivering an on-street event on the actual anniversary of 9 June 2012 was achieved. A series of additional "satellite" events were also organised including a week-long beer festival at The Hotspur pub, Percy Street, Newcastle upon Tyne on the night of 9 June 2012.
Modern race
The Blaydon Race is a 5.9-mile athletics race from Newcastle to Blaydon that takes place on 9 June every year and starts off with the singing of 'The Blaydon Races', as the words are used as the basis for the whole race.
Although 'Blaydon Races' is recognised as the Newcastle United FC supporters song, it has been adapted for use by many clubs throughout the United Kingdom. The geographical references and dialect words in the lyrics are changed to suit the club but the tune remains the same. It can be argued that Gateshead FC can lay claim to this song, as Blaydon is in Gateshead as opposed to nearby Newcastle. Geordie Ridley himself was from Gateshead. Queens Park Rangers F.C. use a similar chant: Some other clubs that use this style of chant are:
Burnley FC
Walsall FC
Oldham Athletic
Manchester United FC
Shrewsbury Town
Sunderland AFC
Crystal Palace
Brighton & Hove Albion
Bolton Wanderers
Blackburn Rovers
AFC Wimbledon
AFC Fylde
Dartford FC
Glenavon F.C.
Crusaders F.C.
Bohemian F.C.
In recent years the original song has also been adopted by supporters of Newcastle Falcons rugby club.
Bob Davenport and The Marsden Rattlers, released in 1971 on "BBC's Folk on 2 presents Northumbrian Folk"
In the opening scenes of The Lone Ranger the song playing in the background on an organ is "The Blaydon Races"
Painting
William Irving's 1903 painting. 'The Blaydon Races – A Study from Life' is on show at the Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead. The painting depicts the fairground festivities associated with the race.
