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The Tranmere Rovers Song

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1 Oct 2005
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5,690
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Alan King, Barry Dyson
I obviously have too much time on my hands, because since earlier in the year I have been trying to write a song about TRFC. I don't think there is one specially written about our club. The idea was a song to cover the history of the club from the start to the present day, mentioning some of the great players, managers and games. I have always liked the folk song "The Last of the Irish Rover" and the words have been written to fit that tune. In my song, each verse ends up with something like "the team called Tranmere Rovers" .

If you are interested and like the idea, I would be happy to share it with you all on this forum.
 

Ian

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Lets hear it!
 
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Alan King, Barry Dyson
OK, guys, here are the first three verses for you to look at. There's no way you'd get me to sing it - even in the bath - but you are welcome to have a go yourselves. In case you've forgotten the tune, you can play this to remind yourself.

I didn't know much about the origins of our club, so I did some research on the founder. James Hannay McGaul was a bit of a character and became a local celebrity. Long after he started the club, he became mayor of Birkenhead. We all thought three years in the National League was long enough, but it took 37 years to get into the Football League originally. Thankfully, McGaul lived to see it happen and died just two months after our first league match.

The verses below cover the period up to the start of the Second World War.

The Tranmere Rovers Song
("The team called Tranmere Rovers")

At the start of it all James Hannay McGaul
A Birkenhead man of renown
He had a dream to start a football team
To represent Birkenhead town.
"It shall have fame wherever the game
Is played the whole world over
So wherever we go, the people will know
The team called Tranmere Rovers."

Now they started off small and won nothing at all
But he knew that it all would take time
But in 1921, McGaul’s job was done
To the Football League they did climb.
Soon along came a teen, his name Dixie Dean
A player known the whole world over
Though he may have moved on to Everton
He started at Tranmere Rovers.

On Boxing Day ’35, Prenton Park came alive
As Oldham were put to the sword
A record score of 13-4
And nine of them Bunny Bell scored!
That team won the Welsh Cup, then as champs they went up
But after one year it was over
Because Division Two was like their Waterloo
For the team called Tranmere Rovers.​
 

ONIGP

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Eddie Bishop
OK, guys, here are the first three verses for you to look at. There's no way you'd get me to sing it - even in the bath - but you are welcome to have a go yourselves. In case you've forgotten the tune, you can play this to remind yourself.

I didn't know much about the origins of our club, so I did some research on the founder. James Hannay McGaul was a bit of a character and became a local celebrity. Long after he started the club, he became mayor of Birkenhead. We all thought three years in the National League was long enough, but it took 37 years to get into the Football League originally. Thankfully, McGaul lived to see it happen and died just two months after our first league match.

The verses below cover the period up to the start of the Second World War.

The Tranmere Rovers Song
("The team called Tranmere Rovers")

At the start of it all James Hannay McGaul
A Birkenhead man of renown
He had a dream to start a football team
To represent Birkenhead town.
"It shall have fame wherever the game
Is played the whole world over
So wherever we go, the people will know
The team called Tranmere Rovers."

Now they started off small and won nothing at all
But he knew that it all would take time
But in 1921, McGaul’s job was done
To the Football League they did climb.
Soon along came a teen, his name Dixie Dean
A player known the whole world over
Though he may have moved on to Everton
He started at Tranmere Rovers.

On Boxing Day ’35, Prenton Park came alive
As Oldham were put to the sword
A record score of 13-4
And nine of them Bunny Bell scored!
That team won the Welsh Cup, then as champs they went up
But after one year it was over
Because Division Two was like their Waterloo
For the team called Tranmere Rovers.​

Love it!
 
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Alan King, Barry Dyson
OK, here's the rest of it. I know there are players, managers and matches I've had to leave out, but covering 135 years of history in 12 verses was a challenge. Hope you like it. ;)

In 1973, they reached League Cup round three
Won at Highbury, which no-one foresaw
Player-boss Ron Yeats told his teammates
“We’ve just got to stop Alan Ball.
I’ve got a plan, Mark Palios is my man.
He must follow him the whole pitch over.
”It wasn’t a dream; they beat Arsenal’s Double team,
The team called Tranmere Rovers.

Now the fans still sing about Johnny King
Who played for and managed the team
They won the Leyland DAF Cup then he took them up
To the brink of the Premier League.
He built a great team, he called a Deadly Submarine
Then John Aldridge as boss took over
Ten years they stayed, some great games they played
The team called Tranmere Rovers.

The millennium came and brought the Whites’ biggest game
‘Neath the twin towers of old Wem-ber-ly
With the League Cup at stake, they could afford no mistakes
But sadly it wasn’t to be.
One down at half-time, their response was sublime
But Leicester were no pushovers
Another goal went in for a 2-1 win
And defeat for Tranmere Rovers.

Their best ever win still makes the fans grin
It took place just over the water
When they took on Everton
Most thought they’d be lambs to the slaughter.
But two goals from Steve Yates sealed the Toffees’ fate
And had all the fans in clover
Koumas scored one more, which made the score
Three-nil for Tranmere Rovers.

Against a Premier League team, they would play like a dream
Especially at home in the cup.
They beat Southampton FC by four goals to three
Though at half-time Saints had been three up.
Though their cup form was hot, their league form was not
So their stay in Tier Two was soon over
Sadly it couldn’t last and those days are now past
For the team called Tranmere Rovers.

Twenty-fourteen was bad, little joy to be had
It all seemed just like a bad dream.
For a buyer they yearned, then Mark Palios returned
Now a businessman of great esteem.
With a new owner found, they tried to turn things round.
But the dark days were far from over
It was just like a curse as things got much worse
For the team called Tranmere Rovers.

An awful day came and heads hung in shame
As they lost their place in the league
But a saviour he came, Micky Mellon his name
He got everyone to believe.
Our first year was bad, little joy to be had
The next we played Forest Green Rovers
In the play-off game, but no glory came,
Just defeat for Tranmere Rovers.

The next year started slow, then they started to go
And they got back to Wemb – er - ly
Where against them stood Boreham Wood
But the game started disastrously.
Soon down to ten against eleven men
Most thought that all hope was over
But two great scores from Cookie and Nors
Won the game for Tranmere Rovers.

Now just one year on, they got back to League One
By the play-offs yet another time
And they sealed their fate by scoring late
Just before the end of extra time.
Oh the crowd they roared when the Superwhites scored
And they cheered when the game was over
They made such a din for another win
For the team called Tranmere Rovers.

(chorus)
Oh the crowd they roared when the Superwhites scored
And they cheered when the game was over
They made such a din for another win
For the team called Tranmere Rovers.​
 

ONIGP

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Eddie Bishop
It's an epic, surely rivalling the Odyssey!
 
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aldo
love it . sorry im not on er to often at the mo we are just run off our feet the place has just gone crazy . im stressed to hell and ive got two weeks off this crap left . oh to love x mas
 
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Alan King, Barry Dyson
love it . sorry im not on er to often at the mo we are just run off our feet the place has just gone crazy . im stressed to hell and ive got two weeks off this crap left . oh to love x mas
Good luck, AM. At least all the dosh should pay for your next holiday.
 
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aldo
the tips are amazing at the mo they are going to pay for the whole of my x mas shop . witch im doing on the 21st as thats my only day off this month . my xmas bonus is going on a sunney two week break in Mexico in jan can,t wait my feet and body are dead. we started are parties in the first week november and my last ones are on till the first week in jan . even got 200 in xmas day and boxing day so no drinking for me. but will make it up to my wifey and little monster
 
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Alan King, Barry Dyson
OK, guys, I need your help.

Response has generally been good. It was also published in GUAR. My idea now is to try to raise money for charity with this song by selling copies through streaming and downloads. There are plenty of worthy people and organisations who are desperately short of money at the moment.

I have contacted the club and they are enthusiastic and happy to help promote it, but needs to be recorded. I think it would be best done by a local group rather than one here in Kent. Probably a folk band, but not necessarily. Do any of you know who might be interested? Social distancing may be an issue, but should not be insurmountable.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.
 

ONIGP

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Joined
28 Feb 2018
Messages
1,447
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Eddie Bishop
OK, guys, I need your help.

Response has generally been good. It was also published in GUAR. My idea now is to try to raise money for charity with this song by selling copies through streaming and downloads. There are plenty of worthy people and organisations who are desperately short of money at the moment.

I have contacted the club and they are enthusiastic and happy to help promote it, but needs to be recorded. I think it would be best done by a local group rather than one here in Kent. Probably a folk band, but not necessarily. Do any of you know who might be interested? Social distancing may be an issue, but should not be insurmountable.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.
I'll PM you my son's details, @bring back the cowshed! . He writes, records and gigs - his recordings utlise contributory instrumentation from around the world so distancing wouldn't be a problem!
 
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Alan King, Barry Dyson
Thanks, ONIGP. He seems a good person to know! I’ve written to him and look forward to his response.
 
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Alan King, Barry Dyson
Just to update you guys, I have been working with ONIGP’s lad, who really is a talented musician. He has written a new tune and has cut a demo. He is currently working on the final product. I am really pleased with what he has achieved. When we are ready, we plan to release it and donate all profits to local charities.

Some time ago, I wrote to the club. They liked the idea and promised me they would promote it once we had a finished product. Unfortunately, despite emails and dozens of phone calls, I haven’t got any response. I realise they must be short staffed but I’m now stuck. Does anyone know how I can get in touch with the club? Also, any ideas for charities? I am thinking something COVID-19 related.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 

rossb07

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Adam Buxton
Only option I can think of is messaging one of the admins on the TRSA page, any SLO or Mark Bartley on Facebook.
 
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