“On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at” – Discover the Origins and Meaning of Yorkshire’s Beloved Song

The Tale of the Unofficial Yorkshire Anthem: On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at

Yorkshire is a region steeped in history, culture, and tradition. Among its many treasures is the beloved folk song “On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at”. This melody resonates with the spirit of Yorkshire and its people. This article delves into the origins, lyrics, and cultural significance of this charming anthem.

Origins of the Song

“On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at,” meaning “On Ilkley Moor without a hat” in standard English, is a folk song from the West Riding of Yorkshire. The melody, composed by Thomas Clark in 1805, originally served as a Methodist hymn tune titled “Cranbrook.” It was on an outing to Ilkley Moor, near Ilkley in West Yorkshire, that the words were composed by members of Halifax Church Choir, around 50 years after Clark’s composition​​​​.

The Lyrics and Their Meaning

The song, sung in the Yorkshire dialect, tells a somewhat macabre yet humorous story. The lyrics playfully warn of the dire consequences of braving the moors without appropriate headwear. It begins with a character being spotted on Ilkley Moor without a hat while courting a lady named Mary Jane. Then comes the warning of catching a cold, which then leads to death, followed by burial. The song continues as worms eat the buried body, ducks eat the worms, and the singers of the song end up eating the ducks. Thus the song symbolises the cyclic nature of life and death​​​​.

Lyrics in Yorkshire dialect	Standard English Translation
Wheear es-ta bin sin Ah saw thee, Ah saw thee?	Where have you been since I saw you, I saw you?
On Ilkla Mooar baht ‘at	On Ilkley Moor without a hat
Wheear es-ta tha bin sin Ah saw thee, Ah saw thee? Wheear es-ta tha bin sin Ah saw thee?	Where have you been since I saw you, I saw you? Where have you been since I saw you?
On Ilkla Mooar baht ‘at     On Ilkla Mooar baht ‘at     On Ilkla Mooar baht ‘at	On Ilkley Moor without a hat     On Ilkley Moor without a hat     On Ilkley Moor without a hat
Tha’s been a-cooartin’ Mary Jane	You’ve been courting Mary Jane
Tha’s bahn to ketch thi deeath o’ cowd	You’re bound to catch your death of cold
Then we s’ll ‘e to bury thee	Then we will have to bury you
Then t’wurrums’ll come an’ eyt thee up	Then the worms will come and eat you up
Then t’ducks’ll come an’ eyt up t’wurrums	Then the ducks will come and eat up the worms
Then we s’ll come an’ eyt up t’ducks	Then we will come and eat up the ducks
Then we s’ll all ‘e etten thee	Then we will all have eaten you
That’s wheear we get us ooan back	That’s where we get our own back

Variations and Cultural Significance

On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at has seen many variations over the years, both in lyrics and in its usage. Some singers add humorous lines, such as “without tha trousers on,” or whimsical phrases such as “where the ducks play football.” In Leeds, a line preceding the chorus often ends with “And we all got wet”​​.

Notable Versions

In the 1950s, folk legend Pete Seeger, Ted Heath and his Big Band (the biggest selling British band in the 1950s), and British orchestra leader Alyn Ainsworth all recorded their renditions of this song​.

In 2012 On Ilkla’ Moor Baht ‘At was reworked for the 21st Century after it came to light that many children were unaware of the song’s meaning or its significance. The reimagining featured a host of Yorkshire acts, notably soprano Lesley Garrett and actor Brian Blessed. The Grimethorpe Colliery Band (website) provided the music.

The strangest version has to be by comedian and former Goodie Bill Oddie who released a version on John Peel’s Dandelion label in 1970. Oddie sung the words to the tune of the Joe Cocker arrangement of the Lennon–McCartney song “With a Little Help from My Friends.”

References in Popular Culture

This song has been featured in various television programs and has been recorded by several artists. The opening motif was used as Yorkshire Television’s pre-programme ident, fitting for the Yorkshire anthem. The melody was used as the theme tune to the 1970s BBC children’s television programme Go With Noakes starring Halifax born Blue Peter action man, John Noakes.

A Symbol of Yorkshire Identity

On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at, while entertaining and whimsical in its lyrics, is more than just a folk song. It’s a celebration of Yorkshire’s culture, history, and identity. It’s a song that unites Yorkshiremen and women, reminding them of their heritage and the unique beauty of their land. Its popularity has made the tune synonymous with Yorkshire, embedding it deeply in the region’s cultural fabric, which is why it has become the unofficial Yorkshire anthem.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, humming this tune while walking the moors of Yorkshire is a delightful way to connect with the county’s rich heritage.