On Ilkla Moor Baht'at

On Ilkla Moor Baht'at is the unofficial anthem for the county of Yorkshire, United Kingdom

The gentle theme carries a tale of a lover courting the object of his affections, Mary Jane, on Ilkley Moor without a hat (Baht'at'). The singer chides the lover for his lack of headwear - for in the cold winds of Ilkley Moor this will mean his death from exposure. This will in turn require his burial, the eating of his corpse by worms, the eating of the worms by ducks and finally the eating of the ducks by the singer.

A great deal about Yorkshire folk can be determined by close analysis of this song.

The Lyrics

Where hast tha been since I saw thee, I saw thee?
On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
Where hast tha been since I saw thee, I saw thee?
[Higher]Where hast tha been since I saw thee, [optional](without thy trousers on)?
[Staccato]On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
[Higher]On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
[Frenzied]On I-i-i-ilkley Moor baht'a-a-a-t.(Where the ducks play football)

Then thee shall catch thy death of cold, death of cold.
On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
Then thee shall catch thy death of cold, death of cold.
Then thee shall catch thy death of cold, (without thy trousers on).
[Staccato]On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
[Higher]On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
[Frenzied]On I-i-i-ilkley Moor baht'a-a-a-t.(Where the ducks play football)

Then we shall have to bury thee, bury thee.
On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
Then we shall have to bury thee, bury thee.
Then we shall have to bury thee, (without thy trousers on).
[Staccato]On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
[Higher]On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
[Frenzied]On I-i-i-ilkley Moor baht'a-a-a-t.(Where the ducks play football)

Then worms 'l come and eat thee up, eat thee up.
On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
Then worms 'l come and eat thee up, eat thee up.
Then worms 'l come and eat thee up, (without thy trousers on).
[Staccato]On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
[Higher]On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
[Frenzied]On I-i-i-ilkley Moor baht'a-a-a-t.(Where the ducks play football)

Then ducks 'l come and eat up worms, eat up worms
On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
Then ducks 'l come and eat up worms, eat up worms
Then ducks 'l come and eat up worms, (without thy trousers on)
[Staccato]On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
[Higher]On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
[Frenzied]On I-i-i-ilkley Moor baht'a-a-a-t.(Where the ducks play football)

Then we shall come and eat up ducks, eat up ducks.
On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
Then we shall come and eat up ducks, eat up ducks
Then we shall come and eat up ducks, (without thy trousers on)
[Staccato]On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
[Higher]On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
[Frenzied]On I-i-i-ilkley Moor baht'a-a-a-t.(Where the ducks play football)

Then we shall all have eaten thee, eaten thee.
On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
Then we shall all have eaten thee, eaten thee.
Then we shall all have eaten thee, (without thy trousers on).
[Staccato]On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
[Higher]On Ilkley Moor baht'at.
[Frenzied]On I-i-i-ilkley Moor baht'a-a-a-t.(Where the ducks play football)

External link

Lyrics and music