(Sunderland's got) Jackie from the bank
Liner Notes
This was one of these songs that has been niggling at my brain for a couple of days and I just had to get it out of my head.
General background here https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/04/rapid-results-uk-ballot-counters-braced-for-race-to-declare-first-winner
with more about Jackie here https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/tv/sally-nugent-bbc-election-sunderland-29478138
It's ridiculous. #acousticonetake
Lyrics
General election night
Some of the seats were gonna be tight
Though overall we were quite sure
The Tories would be out the door
The TV coverage struggling
To find anything interesting
They hone in on the hard-fought race
To bring the results in first
Newcastle came first the last two votes
And Sunderland's the fastest yet
Northumberland is third in line
And newcomer Blyth has hopes so high
Sunderland's got Jackie from the bank
With her crack team of counters; you've never seen the like of it
Sunderland's got Jackie from the bank
And teenagers running ballot boxes, dressed in their PE kit
The tension's high on BBC
As coverage has nowt to say
The exit polls are looking good
But hours before we'll see for sure
So they go to Blyth and Sunderland
With Naga and Sally speculating
What makes for a good speed count
And which north-east town will win out
I love the North East I used to have a lot of contact with some great folk singers from the region - Jim Mageean, The Wilsons, The Unthanks etc. I sang with Shanty group The Keelers when the tall ships first came to Newcastle. Fond memories of the era.