Banks of the Tees / Valley of Tees

I have combined these two songs, the first by Graeme Miles and the second by Vin Garbutt, as each one expresses the beauty of the North Country. The Valley of Tees was one of the first songs that Vin wrote and as with many of his other songs it will be sung by people all over. Vin had very strong ideas which he put into song. Martyn

In appreciation of Vin’s inspirational personality Graeme Knights has produced a CD  Memories of Vin with various performers singing Vin’s songs and for a copy of this please contact 

Graeme Knights at his website 

Proceeds to the Macmillan Cancer Support Charity.

https://graemeknights.net/vin-garbutt-tribute-cd/

BANKS OF THE TEES   Words and Melody Graeme Miles 

VALLEY OF TEES          Words and Melody Vin Garbutt

I have combined these two songs, the first by Graeme Miles and the second by Vin Garbutt, as each one expresses the beauty of the North Country. The Valley of Tees was one of the first songs that Vin wrote and as with many of his other songs it will be sung by people all over. Vin had very strong ideas which he put into song. In appreciation of Vin’s inspirational personality Graeme Knights has produced a CD  Memories of Vin with various performers singing Vin’s songs and for a copy of this please contact 

Graeme Knights at his website 

graemeknights.net        

or the official Vin Garbutt website

Proceeds to the Macmillan Cancer Support Charity.

BANKS OF THE TEES   Words and Melody Graeme Miles 

VALLEY OF TEES          Words and Melody Vin Garbutt

Oh the Banks of the Tees I remember right well 

When I think of the places I’ve seen in my time

The glow of the furnace the coke oven smell 

The misty grey rain in the morning

But the shadow of the crane across the still green waters 

As the smokey sun goes down is the sight I mind the best 

Is the sight I mind the best.. 

Pink salmon once swam in the clear crystal Tees

But now no pink dorsal fins show 

And the power of mans brought the rain to it’s knees 

On Tees bank the flowers still grow 

On Tees bank the flowers still grow. 

The North Riding has been my home since I was born 

And summers I’ve seen twenty three

And the green hills of Cleveland in all of those years 

Are the hills that are dearest to me 

Are the hills that are dearest to me. 

Oh the views that I cherish those stark purple moors

To a strangers eye none can but please 

And the contrasting beauty is there to behold

Where the hills meet the valley of Tees

Where the hills meet the valley of Tees. 

Oh the world has it’s wonders and beauteous sights 

To the North country none can compare

And ‘though the skies filled with effluence the sun still shines through

And the beauty of Farndale is there

Oh the beauty of Farndale is there. 

I am singing this song with the Spring in my heart 

For the daffodils soon will be seen 

And the salmon will thrive in the Tees once again 

When black buds will burst into green 

When black buds will burst into green.