[Verse 1]
We had no way of staying afloat
We had to leave on the ferry boat
Economic refugee
On the run to Germany
We had the back of Maggie's hand
Times were tough in Geordieland
We got wor tools and working gear
And humped it all from Newcastle to here

[Chorus]
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man

[Verse 2]
We're the nomad tribes, travelling boys (why aye, why aye man)
In the dust and dirt and the racket and the noise (why aye, why aye man)
Drills and hammers, diggers and picks (why aye, why aye man)
Mixing concrete, laying bricks (why aye, why aye man)
English, Irish, Scots, the lot
United Nation's what we've got
Brickies, chippies, every trade
German-built and British-made
[Chorus]
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man

[Bridge]
Nae more work on Maggie's farm
Hadaway down the Autobahn
Mine's a portacabin bed
Or a bunk in a Nissen hut instead

[Verse 3]
There's plenty Deutschmarks here to earn (why aye, why aye man)
And German tarts are wunderschön (why aye, why aye man)
German beer is chemical-free (why aye, why aye man)
Germany's alreet with me (why aye, why aye man)
Sometimes I miss my river Tyne (my river Tyne)
But you're my pretty Fräulein
Tonight we'll drink the old town dry
Keep wor spirit levels high

[Chorus]
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
Why aye man, why aye, why aye man
[Outro]
Sometimes I miss my river Tyne
But you're my pretty Fräulein
Tonight we'll drink the old town dry
Keep wor spirit levels high
Sometimes I miss my river Tyne
But you're my pretty Fräulein
Tonight we'll drink the old town dry
Keep wor spirit levels high

Sometimes I miss my river Tyne
But you're my pretty Fräulein
Tonight we'll drink the old town dry
Keep wor spirit levels high