I think it was West Hartlepool br Or possibly Sunderland. br It was somewhere along the North-east coast, br I’m given to understand br br It was where they hung the monkey, br The one that came to be br Cast up on the sandy shoreline there br After a storm at sea. br br It thought itself most fortunate br To see the land again br For all the sailors on its ship br Had drowned in the watery main. br br It was a sailor’s happy pet br And used to his gentle ways br So when it saw some men ashore br It gave its Maker praise. br br And ran to them with happy cries, br Glad of their company br But all the men of Hartlepool br Thought it quite uncanny. br br None of them had ever seen br Such a thing as a monkey, br For all they knew it could have been br A dressed-up courtroom flunkey. br br They scratched their heads in puzzlememt, br Some said it was a Frenchman, br But others disagreed and thought br It was the Devil’s henchman. br br The arguments went on and on br And no-one could agree br Until an ancient fisherman said: br “Now everyone listen to me, br br It’s plain this creature is a Frenchie br By Boney sent to spy br Upon the men of Hartlepool, br So, come let’s swing him high”. br br The monkey then was marched to gaol, br It thought it was a game br And danced and skipped between its gaolers br As to the town they came. br br And when they put around its neck br The rope that hung from the tree br It chattered with excitement br Recalling frolics on the sea. br br When it was roughly pushed, to jerk br And dangle from the rope, br To change its view of all mankind, br There was not time, we hope.