Flint songs

Last updated: 29 April 2009

your comments

Paul Cunningham, Flint
To Sharon Barton, I knew your grandfather Jack Williams, Jack Denbigh as he was known. I served with him in the Fire Service and also on occasion was his under study as Mace Bearer for Flint Town Council. He was a character, but he was also a stickler for protocol with anything related to the pageantry of the council and the Royal British Legion. I was proud to be associated with him, both through the Fire Service and with Flint Town Council.
Fri Jun 12 09:58:43 2009

Vicky Perfect
Hello Sharon, I remember your Granfather coming into the pub we ran, The Royal Oak, after the council meetings. Jack Williams was a true gent. You should be very proud of him. He always took great pride in his job as mace bearer.And Amanda your Uncle? Chick Noble was a good friend of mine and he used to tell me that his mum and dad ran the lodging house down Castle Street. It is from him that I get my interest in that area. Both men to be proud of.
Thu May 7 09:41:27 2009

Amanda Levett was Noble
The Yard song is about a lodging house in Castle Street which was owned by my gran and grandad, whom I never met. Sadly, they died before I was born. My dad was Chick Noble, a popular character who died 1998.
Wed Apr 29 08:38:12 2009

Sharon Barton
Hi there, my grandad was a mace bearer of Flint, town councillor and key keeper of the town hall in Flint for many years. Sadly he passed away back in 1998 but I would love to hear any of your stories of my grandad. He lived for Flint town and it would be lovely to hear your memories of him.
Tue Apr 14 10:02:09 2009

John Beaumont
Does anyone know anything about the 'Barden'? It was somewhere 'under the line' in Flint.
Thu Apr 2 08:24:06 2009

Vicky Perfect
Hi Annette, share your memories with us we would love to hear them for I am very interested in the "below the line" area of Flint. I am sure they would pass on my email address to you if you would like it.
Mon Feb 9 10:19:45 2009

Annette Graham, West Yorkshire
Hello Vicky, I have just discovered your website of Fflint and have told friends about it too. I have many memories of Mumforth Street where I was born in 1945 and of Castle Street as my mum's family were Bithells the Fish. My other grandparents, the Roberts's, owned the Old Coal Tar so I have memories of that too and of Duke Street. I would like to make a larger contribution if possible.
Wed Jan 21 09:30:59 2009

Vicky Perfect
Hi April. Why not share some of the stories about Castle Street and the Yard with us? I, and I am sure I speak for many, would love to hear more about that area.
Mon Jan 19 09:32:54 2009

Freda, Bagillt
Hiya April. I remember when your nain used to come to our house to see my mother. We lived in Princes Street then. I think I was the youngest of the cousins. I was still in school when most of them had families of their own. I remember the old yard. It had a high fence around it, tin sheets or wood panels. My nain lived in Castle Street. As for being mad, I have been told I am by a few people, but I don't think I am. I left Flint in 1963 when I got married, to live in Greenfield, so I lost touch with family.
Fri Jan 9 07:40:20 2009

April
Hi Freda Bather, nice to hear from you, my nain's cousin eh, are you as mad as she was? That lady truly was one of a kind, and she told us many stories which we would sit for hours listening to about the yard and the lodging house and down Thomas Street. Although it all seemed hard living in them days everybody seemed to have a wonderful time and people were close and friendly. What happened?
Mon Dec 29 09:50:09 2008

Freda Bather, Bagillt
To April Bridge. Tommy Stwuck the scrap yard was my uncle. He was my mother, Jinnie's, brother, Betty Bridge was my cousin.
Mon Dec 8 08:46:25 2008

Gaynor Simpson
I remember the song German bombers over Flint as it was a popular song we all sang on Sunday school trips. I also remember Minnie Flynn who was very old and scary to young children but on reflection extremely talented.
Tue Nov 4 08:10:07 2008

Tom Evans, The Bryn, Flint
I well remember Gomer Owen. He owned a garage in Halkyn Street, which he later sold and bought a shop at the top of Church Street. He was always smartly dressed, and sported a small moustache. He had a wicked sense of humour, as witness the time, at the height of the war, when he walked into a pub in Halkyn and began speaking in German, which didn't go down very well with the locals! But Gomer was in love with the beautiful Sylvia Edwards, daughter of the town pawnbroker, but she loved another, the bluff Doctor Ross, a Scot. This broke Gomer's heart and he ended it all in Monachlog Pool, Northop. This was a sad end to a man who was always full of fun, and who was respected by all.
Mon Oct 20 08:40:17 2008

Sue Robinson (nee Williams) now in Brighton
I am a relative of Gomer Owen who wrote 'It's Quite All Right in Flint'. I believe he also wrote 'Sunny Rhyl' and 'Take Care of Yourself'. Does anyone know the words of these, or of any other songs he wrote? Does anyone, please, have a photo of Gomer or any other personal info? (I do know that he took his own life in 1944.)
Mon Sep 8 08:43:11 2008

Candida Jones
To Sue Hulley from Bagillt. Arthur Jones, the one-armed pit-worker turned preacher, was also my great grandfather. I am the granddaughter of his youngest son, Rees Jones. His wife was Martha Ann Jones. I'd be really keen to find out more about the family. Which of his children are you related to?
Fri Jun 13 08:57:47 2008

Vicky Perfect
Hi Brian Leighton. The words are very catchy, what tune do you sing it to? Have you any other songs you have written on Flint? I would like the words to them if you have to add to the collection of Flint Songs.
Tue May 27 09:21:45 2008

Brian Leighton
This is the song I wrote about Flint Castle:
As I stand on the walls of Flint Castle
And I look out across the Dee,
I can still see the shape of the lamprock,
That shines a light for me
But now the tide is turning,
And a lad I be again,
For the shores of Flint are burning,
for a lad when he was 10.
As I stand on the walls of Flint Castle,
I can still smell the salt of the sea,
I can still see the green of the samkins,
Memories they come back to me.
But now the tide is turning,
And a lad I be again
for the shores of Flint are burning,
for a lad when he was 10.
As I stand on the walls of Flint Castle,
my memories fill the air,
I can still see the band in the corner,
for my grandfather he played there.
But now the tide is turning and a lad I be again
For the shores of Flint are burning for a lad when he was 10.
So come all ye travellers, tell me what do you come to see,
You have come to see Flint Castle, it stands on the river Dee, it stands on the river Dee.
WORDS AND MUSIC BY BRIAN LEIGHTON
Mon Apr 14 09:19:39 2008

Carol Roberts (nee Jones) from Flint
I know all the words for "Fifty German Bombers over Flint":- There were fifty German bombers over Flint (over Flint), There were fifty German bombers over Flint (over Flint), There were fifty German bombers, fifty German bombers, fifty German bombers over Flint (over Flint). And the good old Bagillt Navy shot them down (shot them down), And the good old Bagillt Navy shot them down (shot them down), And the good old Bagillt Navy, good old Bagillt Navy, good old Bagillt Navy shot them down (shot them down). And the good old Greenfield fishers fished them out (fished them out), And the good old Greenfield fishers fished them out (fished them out), And the good old Greenfield fishers, good old Greenfield fishers, good old Greenfield fishers fished them out (fished them out). And the good old Shotton cleaners dried their clothes (dried their clothes), And the good old Shotton cleaners dried their clothes (dried their clothes), And the good old Shotton cleaners, good old Shotton cleaners, good old Shotton cleaners, dried their clothes (dried their clothes). And the good old Conway jailers locked them up (locked them up), And the good old Conway jailers locked them up (locked them up), And the good old Conway jailers, good old Conway jailers, good old Conway jailers locked them up (locked them up). And the bad old German spies let them out (let them out), And the bad old German spies let them out (let them out), And the bad old German spies, bad old German spies, bad old German spies let them out (let them out). There were fifty German bombers over Flint...
Wed Mar 5 09:46:40 2008

Joseph Flint from New York, USA
I heave really not known anything about my family name Flint other than it came from Wales. I have just started to research the Flint name and enjoy reading the blog. I would love to visit and have a few beers and sing some of the Flint songs. I don't know what most of you think of Americans, but I am sure you would find most of us to be similar to yourself. I know the next time I have a few beers I will be singing "We are the Flint boys the merry merry Flint boys." Take care.
Fri Feb 1 15:59:10 2008

Adrian Rogers, Flint
To Sue Hulley from Bagillt. Just wondering if you are related to Barry Hulley, good friend of mine from Flint High School in the 70s. If so any info on where he is or what he's doing would be welcome.
Fri Jan 11 10:12:09 2008

Sue Hulley from Bagillt
I was thrilled to find your website and sorry there is not much there for Bagillt. I am doing family research into the Hulley lot and all connected. I was brought up in Bagillt, first at Blighty Cottage, Gadlys Lane and then at Bron y Wern. There are several funny stories to tell, amongst them one about my Great Great Grandad Arthur Jones. He worked the pit and lost his arm one day in an accident and walked home just the same! The sorry part was that he carried his chopped off arm under the other arm like a loaf of bread and when he showed it to his wife it is said that her long hair went white with shock overnight! I will print your comments section and pass it to my sister who is manager of a Flintshire Old Folks home in Buckley. She is always looking for entertainment for the folk she cares for and they will be delighted to be reminded of the old songs. Perhaps they may be able to remember more! Get back to you if they give me any info.
Sun Nov 18 16:32:54 2007

Andrea Vogler from Cheshire
Hi everyone. I'm about to start a Heritage Alive project in Flintshire and am looking for recordings/notated music of old Flintshire folk songs. Can anyone help?
Fri Nov 9 15:52:58 2007

Paul Leighton off Flint
Has anybody got any old photos of Flint carnival in 1969? I was involved in in it that day. It would be brill if anybody did have some for me.
Thu Oct 25 12:24:18 2007

Mike Brick off Flint
Good to hear all the comments. When I was younger around the pubs I used to remember another song but not all the words. It went: we are the Flint boys, the merry merry Flint boys, but I can't remember any more, can you? Good times, thanks.
Mon Sep 10 09:20:56 2007

Rosemary Hunter off Flint
Thanks to Maria Jones for her posting about Jones Black Puddin. But...it's a different family! There must have been more than one Jones Black Puddin. The mind boggles.
Tue Sep 4 10:01:12 2007

Maria Jones, Flint
Jones Black Puddin' was our great grandad. Dad's name was Arthur married to Eva, Taid's name William Arthur married to Mary Lilly (maiden name Turley known as Sissy). They had 3 children Arthur, Tom, Lil. Sadly they have all gone now. Tom was killed in a car crash at the age of 40. We are Arthur's chidren, Barry, Irene and myself, Maria.
Mon Sep 3 09:24:27 2007

Ces Price off Flint, now Middlesbrough
The song "It's quite all right in Flint", was written by the late Gomer Owens, who had a sweet shop opposite the Grand Cinema. (By the way - There's a character called Gomer Owens in 'Under Milk Wood'). The Gomer Owens off Flint was a regular performer in the concerts organised by Minnie Flynn. Years before my time, this musical lady was the pianist in the Grand Cinema before the days of 'talkies'. Thinking about the Grand Cinema, in my youth I remember the projectionist, I think his name was Eric. He had tight curly blonde hair. In those days, the Grand shared the Newreel Films with the Plaza, and it was a common sight to see the projectionist, clutching a huge can of film, running like like mad from the Grand to the Plaza to meet the deadline! Despite the fact that some seats had a partially obstructed view of the screen, due to the pillars supporting the balcony, the sound system in the Grand was vastly superior to that in the Plaza. Young cinema fans who queued for the Saturday Matinée at the Plaza will no doubt remember the military discipline and threats of violence imposed by the formidable Mr Blake, the uniformed commissionaire! Bring back Flash Gordon, Roy Rodgers and poor old Tom Mix! (Tom died in 1940 in a strange car accident, the back of his head was hit by a suitcase which flew off the rear shelf of his sports car during heavy braking).
Fri Jun 1 08:00:33 2007

Wayne Pugh off Flint now in Rhosesmor
Hi Vicky, just came across this and it's great. I read some old Achem Schmidt stories years ago in a book by a great Flint man I worked with - Tom Evans. I told some of Achem's tales in work and my mates were in pieces laughing. You don't really appreciate the town until you move away. When I visit my mum & dad I go down Church St and the memories just wash over me. My lad (Haydn) grew up in Flint but now lives in South Wales. He played for Wales u19s in the World Cup against New Zealand and they were very tough and very physical & rough! But he stood right up to them and it made me think..."You can take the lad out of Flint but you can never take Flint out of the lad"!
Fri May 18 09:58:21 2007

Brian Leighton off Flint
To Vicky, to do the songs justice you need to hear the music. They are not poems and repeat parts for choruses so they don't read like a poem. If you would like to hear them, no problem. I was thinking about doing a CD but it's quite dear, 50 quid a song, and that's from a Flint lad, Dave Evans, from Oakenholt. So money is the stopper as always but that is his job full time, so you can't argue. Sorry, but I might win the lottery, you never know.
Wed Apr 18 10:10:33 2007

Vicky Perfect
Brian, let's have the words of your songs so we can add them to this page! All are worth keeping.
Tue Apr 17 09:18:51 2007

Paul Leighton off Flint
Has anyone got any photos of Flint Town Silver Band or Flint Golf Club in the Sixties and Seventies? My grandfather was in the band and my Dad was a founder member of Flint Golf Club. And I haven't got any photos at all. If anyone could help I would be very grateful. My grandfather was Ben Tatler and my father was Tommy Leighton from Bagillt.
Mon Apr 2 09:18:38 2007

Brian Leighton off Flint
Hey Fritz, thought you were dead, not seen you for years. Seen your Georgeie a few times. Not seen Ged either. Where is he now? I live in Flint again now. Like to see you again, talk about old times, and there are quite a few remember. God they were good days, I can still see your dad, never left you in peace did he. Where's Francis?
Thu Mar 15 10:48:54 2007

BRIAN LEIGHTON OFF FLINT
Sang a few at the Boro but there were loads of kids in there but people that listened and thought they were good. I've wrote 4 about flint castle, when we were kids, Llandudno train and the old flint line - all about the realities of growing up with little money to spare and no dad. If anybody wants to here them - no problem.
Webteam replies: You can submit your songs via email - wales.northeast@bbc.co.uk - and we could add them to our Poetry section.
Mon Mar 12 13:45:02 2007

M Collins off Flint
To Vicky Perfect about the German bombers. There was a verse about the Greenfield fishers who fished them out.
Mon Mar 12 13:35:21 2007

Leah
My parents know the Yard song but I didn't know that Flint had its own songs - it's really cool but I would like to know if there are any more songs for Flint please.
Fri Feb 23 10:29:02 2007

April Bridge
The song we all know... THE YARD THE YARD, was in fact one of the scrap yard that my dad's (BARRY BRIDGE) grandad Thomas Williams (TOMMY SKWUK) - nicknamed after he got stuck(sqwuk) in a hole in the marsh - owned. He also bought the lodging house from Joe Noble because it was right next door to the yard, although it was not used as a lodging house any more. He just used it for storage. He also owned another scrapyard that backed onto Castle Street.
Thu Feb 8 07:29:23 2007

Vicky Perfect
The German Bombers song! I think everyone adapted it to their village. The version given in my chats with locals is:
There were 50 German bombers over Flint
There were 50 German bombers over Flint
There were 50 German bombers, 50 German bombers, 50 German bombers over Flint
And the good old Bagillt navy shot them down,
The good old Bagillt navy shot them down,
The good old Bagillt navy, the good old Bagillt navy, the good old Bagillt navy, shot them down.
There are more verses can any one remember them?
Mon Jan 15 09:46:33 2007

GB, Suncheon, South Korea
Just thought I'd let you know that there are about 100 kids running around South Korea that can sing 'The Yard' almost perfectly. As a teacher of English, I have found the students really took to its simple catchy melody and I now use it regularly with my young learners.
Wed Nov 22 11:33:34 2006

Charles W. Evans-Gunther, off Flint but living in Japan
Hi Vicki, Of course remember you and lots of others off Flint but haven't been back for a while and won't be back till next year to attend my nephew's wedding. Unless, of course, Flint Council decide to pull down the Leas, then I will have rush back to sort my things out. No, to be honest, I didn't know where the Yard was. I'm not young anymore but not old enough to remember things like that. Most of my knowledge of Flint in the past came from talking to people and some historical research. I always thought it had some connections with Castle Street, because that's where Chick's family lived, a couple of doors down from the Gunthers. Sorry, folks, I don't miss Flint much, but occasionally think of what is happening. I'm told after the Irish, English and odd few other immigrants (Swiss?), Flint now has Polish contingent. Nice to hear from you. Would love to read the article. Can it be e-mailed?
Mon Oct 16 09:50:53 2006

Vicky Perfect
Hello Charles, How is life in Japan? I can remeber you being very interested in the town's history when you lived here. Chick Noble was a good friend of mine and he was very proud of the yard song. When I was in the records office the other week I came across a very interesting article about the yard. Did you know the original place of the Old Old Yard was in fact Muspratt's Alkali Works, which was near Nobles Lodging House? The article was about the sale of the Alkali Works and in the article it refers to the locals affectionately naming the Alkali Works as the Old Old Yard which as you know it was the site of Roskill's smelting works prior to it being the Alkali Works. History is interesting, don't you think?
Mon Sep 11 08:33:31 2006

Charles Evans-Gunther in SanSano, Japan, but off Flint
Hi All, Before I came to live in Japan I did some research on Flint and interviewed Chick Noble. He gave me this version of the song "The Yard": "The Yard, the Yard, the old old Yard.
The Yard, the Yard, the old old Yard.
There is a lodging house
Down Castle Street,
Down by the old old Yard

nigel lloyd off flint
Dickie Lloyd is my dad, we are creating a family tree and would like to know more of the lloyd's more so on my dads dad Edward
Wed Aug 9 07:45:19 2006

danielle flint
lyrics flint only one band come t mind the tuning c beats best song f.l.i.n.t sweet home
Mon Jul 3 10:52:58 2006

Fritz
All the Fflint boys sing the songs in my sis pub.
Tue Apr 18 09:29:44 2006

Lin, Cornwall
What 'ere befall in Northop Hall etc was a song that my father often used to sing. I think it was set to a tune from one of the Ivor Novello operettas of the 20s and 30s. I have a vague recollection of him saying that it was written for a local pantomime or revue sometime during the 1930s.
Thu Mar 9 21:05:30 2006

Kath Jones/Roux, Cefn Mawr
Re the WW2 song, I was under the impression that the German bomber song was exclusive to 40 German bombers over Rhos, RAF from Ponciau shot them down and the Vicar from Tai-Nant said the prayer. Don't recall who buried them nor do I remember the rest of the 'song'. I am quite sure that different towns who had veterans of WW2 had different versions, but men and women who risked their lives for us I am sure have their own versions. God bless them all.
Fri Mar 3 16:13:40 2006

Paul Leighton, Flint
I do remember the song there were forty German bombers over Flint. I sing it quite often when I have had a few beers as well as the yard. Does anyone remember the scout master Davy Moore he was a very good friend of mine and we were in the St John Ambulance together. I started in 1969. Brian Leighton is a cousin of mine and the songs he has wrote are very good. Although we won't tell him that - he might get a bit big headed.
Sun Feb 19 17:19:32 2006

Eleanor Tatler, Flint through and through
As I remember the lyric was 'where by' not 'where is it'. I still sing it now when I've had a few but only when I'm in Flint, I don't think it's appreciated anywhere else!
Thu Feb 16 16:32:46 2006

cooperman cornist
Brian Leighton .....Why don't you sing them at the Boro Club ?
Thu Feb 16 04:24:00 2006

mike viney flint 14
i didn't even know that flint had there own songs! Pretty amazing, huh?
Tue Jan 31 18:56:46 2006

brian leighton flint
I,still sing them.people still sing the yard.after they have had a few beers.i have also wrote songs about flint.recalliing the times.when my mam sent me down the railway line for coal.and one about flint castle.and more in the style of folk music.or flintfolk as i say. Web Team replies: Why not post your lyrics here, Brian?
Wed Jan 25 10:32:25 2006

ANGIE COOPER Wolverhampton
I'm not "Off" Flint as my dad used to say but remember the ladies in the Catholic Club singing "The Yard" during Saturday night Bingo sessions in the early seventies. I wonder if they still do!
Thu Jan 19 16:56:48 2006

peter williams from Delaware
does anyone remember the song we used to sing in Flint's Boy Scout Troop (lst Flint) when Dickie Lloyd was the scoutmaster? it was "There were forty German bombers over Flint, over Flint,over Flint (repeated three times). There were forty German bombers, repeated ) and the good old Bagillt navy shot 'em down "
Thu Jan 19 14:22:59 2006

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