Bang the Drums by Paige Temperley

Community member Michelle got in touch with us via. our online story submission page to tell us about being a member of Sunderland East End Grenadiers Jazz Band, who practiced at the Orphanage and who travelled the country competing in competitions. Jazz bands were also a key part of the East End Carnival, and Michelle remembered “marching with pride, with everyone clapping and cheering us on”. It seemed right to celebrate this huge working-class tradition in song, and to include a kazoo for added authenticity!

Lyrics Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday down at the Orphan House Grenadiers would gather in the east side of the town The Scott brothers and Lillian would show to lead the band 30 strong now they’d prepare with whte gloves on their hands

And when everybody gathered ‘round…

Chorus They’d bang the drums Doo doo doo doo Sound the kazoos Doo doo doo doo Purple and white Doo doo doo doo With gleaming sand shoes Doo doo doo doo They’d march the streets Doo doo doo doo To Carnival sounds People were dancing all around

Verse 2 Now mothers they would stitch and sew late into the night To make sure the uniforms were pristine to the eye Fair grounds would assemble ahead of the weekend All the girls would fill with pride cheered by family and friends

And when everybody gathered ‘round…

Chorus They’d bang the drums Doo doo doo doo Sound the kazoos Doo doo doo doo Purple and white Doo doo doo doo With gleaming sand shoes Doo doo doo doo They’d march the streets Doo doo doo doo To Carnival sounds People were dancing all around

Middle 8 Now they would party through the night Floats would be dressed up to the nines Guaranteed the sun would shine And when the saints came marching in Everybody around would sing The Grenadiers would do their thing

Chorus They’d bang the drums Doo doo doo doo Sound the kazoos Doo doo doo doo Purple and white Doo doo doo doo With gleaming sand shoes Doo doo doo doo They’d march the streets Doo doo doo doo To Carnival sounds People were dancing all around

They’d bang the drums Doo doo doo doo Sound the kazoos Doo doo doo doo Purple and white Doo doo doo doo With gleaming sand shoes Doo doo doo doo They’d march the streets Doo doo doo doo To Carnival sounds People were dancing all around