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The Co-op Horses, 1955

The Co-op stables of a long time ago, Were based at the back of old Coach Lane, Some people would cry and whinge about them, Others saying they were nothing but a pain.

The Co-op stables of a long time ago
Were based at the back of old Coach Lane
Some people would cry and whinge about them
Others saying they were nothing but a pain

Now us kids loved all those horses
Which next to us were a mountain high
So when we got told they were going to leave
Quite a few people began to wonder why

As they came along Appleby Street
Walking just at a steady pace
For if I think of the load they pulled
There was no way they could race

Now the Co-op horses were not daft
For they knew each and every street
Which people were a soft touch
Bringing out for them a juicy treat

No matter what the kind of weather
Be it winter, spring or even fall
The horses always appeared on the streets
For nothing was a bother to them at all

Sometimes as they were walking along
They would stop and drop a great big pile
But a gardener with a shovel would soon appear
To be collected and spread on the garden with a smile

One day the horses just vanished
So up to the stables we did go
But looking through the wooden doors
They were nowhere to be seen on show

On asking the lads gave us a reason
Just where the horses were took to rest
The era of the diesel engine had arrived
Which they reckon was by far for the best

The Co-op horses never appeared in Shields again
Progress had once again proved the modern way
When they said the horses had been put out to grass
Well think, what else to us kids could they say?

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