The Town That I Grew Up In

[Instrumental] [Verse 1] Sleepy market town 'neath the Teesdale Hills, Not too much excitement, not too many thrills. Living in a small town, couldn't wait to get away, But I still think of Barney, even to this day. Life was pretty simple, everything was good, Swimming in the river, running through the woods, Playing in the street until the sun went down, Barnard Castle, my childhood town. [Verse 2] No internet, no mobile phone, nothing yet online, Except for mum's laundry on the washing line. No 57 channels to watch on the telly, Only BBC 1 and 2, or ITV. No answerphone, no SMS, someone's in I hope, To get a reply... stamped addressed envelope. No ebay, no Amazon to deliver a parcel, Simple times growing up in Barnard Castle. [Build] [Chorus] Barnard Castle, my childhood home Free to wander, free to roam Far and wide, so much to see, It's still the place I long to be. Barnard Castle, the town where I grew up. [Guitar break] [Chorus] Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) The town that I grew up in. [Verse 3] No internet, no mobile phone, nothing yet online, 'cept for mum's laundry on the washing line. No 57 channels to watch on the telly, BBC 1 and 2, Tyne Tees on button three. [Verse 4] No answerphone, no SMS, someone's in I hope. To get a reply send a stamped addressed envelope. No online shops, no Amazon to deliver a parcel, Simple times growing up in Barnard Castle. [Chorus] Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) The town that I grew up in. [Verse 5] Junior School was down beside the River Tees, Readin', writin', maths, we learned our ABCs, Barnard Castle School by the Bowes Museum, O-levels, A-levels, ready for higher education? [Verse 6] Anything seemed possible, a scientist maybe, Or perhaps see the world in the Royal Navy. Cycling to school, books in a haversack (or satchel) Preparing for life's challenges in Barnard Castle. [Chorus] Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) The town that I grew up in. [Verse 7] Options open up as teenage years unfurl, Mopeds, motorbikes, parties, and girls, Endless games of Spacies in the Coach and Horses, No desire now to join the British Armed Forces. [Verse 8] In later years a bigger world starts to call, Friendships left behind, but I need to see it all. Sometimes I still think of my childhood town, And the street where we played as the sun went down. [Chorus] Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) The town that I grew up in. [Verse 9] Living somewhere else my mind often returns, To that quiet market town for which my heart still yearns. For those times so simple, yet so far away, Life's too rushed in these digital days. [Verse 10] Time moves on, we can never get it back, The years roll by on a one-way track. Before it's all over, I think I'll be returnin' To Barnard Castle, the town that I grew up in. [Chorus] Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) The town that I grew up in. [bridge] [mornful and slow] So let's raise a glass to the days gone by, To the tears, to the laughter, how the time did fly. So many memories, but we hardly stay in touch, Here's to Barnard Castle, the town I miss so much. [pause] [Chorus] [loud and cheerful] Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) The town that I grew up in. [Chorus] [loud and cheerful] Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) The town that I grew up in. Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) Barnard Castle (oh, Barnard Castle) [fade to end] [end]