REMEMBER ANNIE KENNEY by Gerry Kearns Oct 2018
Gerry Kearns vocal & guitar; John Howarth vocal & banjo; Dave Howard mandolin
You remember Annie Kenney
An Oldham lass who worked in the mill from the age of ten
And who went on to fight for women’s rights
Demanding votes for women
And to free all women from control of men
She was born in eighteen seventy nine near Oldham
Walked to th'mill from Springhead Saddleworth when ten
Half time was hard enough
Full time twelve hour shifts were tough
Up at five the following day for her toil again
Labour at the mill was hazardous and dirty
Annie lost a finger working near machines
But she studied hard at night
Annie knew that she was bright
And encouraged study among her fellow teens
The women’s suffrage movement beckoned Annie
She with a colleague heckled Winston Churchill's speech
A banner was rolled out,’ votes for women’ shouted out
The men jailed them, t’was the lesson they would teach
Thirteen times in jail was brave young Annie
She went on hunger strike and was forced fed for her cause
When the women’s votes were seen
In the year nineteen eighteen
Annie played her part and earned our full applause.
You remember Annie Kenney
An Oldham lass who worked in the mill from the age of ten
And who went on to fight for women’s rights
Demanding votes for women
And to free all women from control of men
She was born in eighteen seventy nine near Oldham
Walked to th'mill from Springhead Saddleworth when ten
Half time was hard enough
Full time twelve hour shifts were tough
Up at five the following day for her toil again
Labour at the mill was hazardous and dirty
Annie lost a finger working near machines
But she studied hard at night
Annie knew that she was bright
And encouraged study among her fellow teens
The women’s suffrage movement beckoned Annie
She with a colleague heckled Winston Churchill's speech
A banner was rolled out,’ votes for women’ shouted out
The men jailed them, t’was the lesson they would teach
Thirteen times in jail was brave young Annie
She went on hunger strike and was forced fed for her cause
When the women’s votes were seen
In the year nineteen eighteen
Annie played her part and earned our full applause.
REMEMBER ANNIE KENNEY
In December 2018, a bronze statue of Annie Kenney created by Denise Dutton was unveiled in Oldham centre. The date marked the centenary of the first votes for women in 1918.
Annie Kenney, by joining the suffragette movement and becoming part of their leadership had given much of her life to the cause.
She was from humble working class origins, one of twelve children born in Springhead, Saddleworth, now part of the Oldham borough.
Like many others, the Tinkers felt that her life should be celebrated and chose to do this in song to coincide with the above celebrations in Oldham.
In December 2018, a bronze statue of Annie Kenney created by Denise Dutton was unveiled in Oldham centre. The date marked the centenary of the first votes for women in 1918.
Annie Kenney, by joining the suffragette movement and becoming part of their leadership had given much of her life to the cause.
She was from humble working class origins, one of twelve children born in Springhead, Saddleworth, now part of the Oldham borough.
Like many others, the Tinkers felt that her life should be celebrated and chose to do this in song to coincide with the above celebrations in Oldham.
Remember Annie Kenney
‘A LANCASHIRE GRACE’ LFCD031
THE OLDHAM TINKERS
LIMEFIELD
Recorded by Dave Howard at his studio in Bury, Lancashire
Mixed and mastered by John Ellis and Will Falkiner at Limefield Studio, Middleton, Manchester
Words: Gerry (Gerarde) Kearns.
Music: Chorus, Gerry Kearns, verses, Traditional based on the Scottish song, ‘Bonnie Lassie O.
Vocals: John Howarth and Gerry Kearns.
Instruments: John Howarth banjo, Dave Howard mandolin and Gerry Kearns guitar.
‘A LANCASHIRE GRACE’ LFCD031
THE OLDHAM TINKERS
LIMEFIELD
Recorded by Dave Howard at his studio in Bury, Lancashire
Mixed and mastered by John Ellis and Will Falkiner at Limefield Studio, Middleton, Manchester
Words: Gerry (Gerarde) Kearns.
Music: Chorus, Gerry Kearns, verses, Traditional based on the Scottish song, ‘Bonnie Lassie O.
Vocals: John Howarth and Gerry Kearns.
Instruments: John Howarth banjo, Dave Howard mandolin and Gerry Kearns guitar.