Queen of the Carnival by Holly Rees

The East End Carnival featured in most of our converations with residents, and it is powerfully remembered as an event which brought the community together with floats, a parade around the streets, music and dancing. It seemed important to capture the carnival in a song, and we’re really grateful to have spoken to the family of Winnie Davies who was the driving force behind the carnival. Winnie passed away in 2021, so it was also an honour to write this song remembering such an important community activist.

Lyrics You’d find her singing in the kitchen
Whistling like a bird
She was the love, that
binds us all together
She was passionate
She was strong

Chorus: Queen of the carnival Who never wore the crown Always a voice to those without Queen of the carnival Full of colour and cheer Singing ‘this is the East End, On the banks of the Wear’

Verse: She wasn’t frightened of anyone
Or that’s how it seemed
She was the love, that
binds us all together
She was formidable
She was fun

Bridge She made us dance, whether we wanted to or not She took on the world to make it beautiful for us And everybody called her when she walked down the lane And Winnie, Winnie Davis was her name