Drinking Water Song
This piece and its historical context is closely linked with the Pumping Station built in the reign of Queen Victoria in 1894, now known as Cambridge Museum of Technology, Riverside, Cambridge, CB5 8LD.
Performed by St Matthew's School Choir These lyrics have been composed by CBBC's Horrible Histories chief songwriter, Dave Cohen. To the tune of old folk song 'Drunken Sailor'
LYRICS What shall we do with the drinking water? Poisoning parents, son and daughter Something must be done, at least it oughter In Victorian England!
Sew-age and up she rises Smelly water Cambridge wins no prizes Til the local community devises How to clean the Water
Lots of disgusting poo was floating In the River Cam, not good for boating Victorian health care was now promoting Cholera in the Water!
Sew-age and up she rises Smelly water Cambridge wins no prizes Til the local community devises How to clean the Water
Victoria’s visit was very big news
Her Majesty saw the Cam filled with poos
Don’t think that she was very amused
The whole thing was a stinker
Sew-age and up she rises Smelly water Cambridge wins no prizes Til the local community devises How to clean the Water
Build a pumping house to take the poo
Bring the wee along straight from the loo
While you’re at it let’s have your rubbish too
Use it for recycling
Sew-age and up she rises Smelly water Cambridge wins no prizes Til the local community devises How to clean the Water
Fresh water now for health not profit Cam nice and clear you’d be welcome to quaff it Boilers so clean you could eat your supper off it Some workers fried eggs on them
Sew-age and up she rises Smelly water Cambridge wins no prizes Til the local community devises How to clean the Water
Hooray and raise three cheers Pumping House pumping over 70 years Brought an end to poison water fears Evening day and morning