Ilkley Moor is part of the moorland which stretches between Ilkley and Keighley in West Yorkshire. This moor, which rises 402 m (1319 ft) above sea level, is distinguished for the inspiration of the unofficial Yorkshire county anthem. On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at (‘On Ilkley Moor Without a Hat’)
This cheery tune, sung in the Yorkshire dialect, relates the romantic tale of a lover who courts his beloved Mary Jane on said moor with a bare head. The singer chides the lover for his lack of headgear; and in doleful English fashion informs him the icy moorland winds will certainly lead to his death, burial, and desecration when worms feed off his corpse. On a more positive note, the singer adds that the worms will be swallowed up by ducks and the singer will eat the ducks. You just can’t make this shit up.
I do adore Yorkshire, and even if I didn’t I wouldn’t be stupid enough to insult anyone from there. So please take this in the most humble manner in which it is meant, but I still prefer ‘Sussex by the Sea’ It’s my ringtone. (James Whitesmith flickr)
