Malcolm Bull's Calderdale Companion : Foldout

On Ilkley moor baht 'at

This song has virtually become the Yorkshire anthem.

It is sung to a Methodist hymn tune – Cranbrook – which was composed in 1805 by Thomas Clark, a Canterbury boot and shoe-maker.

It is said that the song was written by a church choir group – Heptonstall Glee Club – on a walking excursion to Ilkley Moor in 1886, and refers to a young man's courting in the heather on the moor during which he lost his hat – baht 'at meaning without a hat.

The first verse runs:

Where 'asta been sin I saw thee?
On Ilkley Moor baht 'at
Where 'asta been sin I saw thee?
Where 'asta been sin I saw thee?
On Ilkley Moor baht 'at
On Ilkley Moor baht 'at
On Ilkley Moor baht 'at

The first lines of each following verse are:

Tha's been a courtin' Mary Jane

Tha's baan to catch thi death o' cowd

Then we s'll 'av ter bury thee

Then t'worms'll come an eyt thee up

Then t'ducks'll come an eyt up t'worms

The we s'll come an eyt up t'ducks

Then we s'll all 'av etten thee

That's where we get us ooan back

See Baht and Ilkley Moor

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