Christmas Singalong 2:
Downend - a tribute to the North Bristol suburb
(Downtown by Petula Clark)

When you're alone and Clifton's making you lonely
(When you're alone and life is making you lonely)

You can always go - Downend!
(You can always go - downtown)

Streets are kept pristine / 'cos it's in BS16
(When you've got worries / all the noise and the hurry)

It's quite posh, you know - Downend!
(Seems to help, I know - downtown!)

It's ideal for commuting / up to Aztec West or UWE
(Just listen to the music / of the traffic in the city)

Handy too for Parkway trains / and Abbey Wood MOD
(Linger on the sidewalk where / the neon signs are pretty)

Filton's quite close - there's lots of employment there
(How can you lose - the lights are much brighter there)

You can forget all your troubles / forget all you cares, and go -

Downend! Access to the M4 -
(Downtown! Things will be great when you're)

Downend! Dearer than Yate, for sure
(Downtown! No finer place, for sure)

Downend! Gloucestershire's waiting for you!
(Downtown! Everything's waiting for you)

Easy for shopping / City buses are stopping
(Don't hang around and / let your problems surround you)

down on Oakdale Road, Downend
(there are movie shows, downtown)

Maybe try Fishponds / there's a decent Morrisons
(Maybe you know some / little places to go to)

which sells Nutmeg clothes; Downend!
(where they never close - downtown)

Dance lessons at the Parish Hall / and over-50s yoga
(Just listen to the rhythm of / the gentle bossa nova)

Once there was a gardening club / but now it's facing closure
(You'll be dancing with 'em too / before the night is over)

Sadly for them
(Happy again)

The rents are quite pricey there
(The lights are much brighter there)

But let's forget all those troubles, forget all those cares - and go
(You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares - and go)

Downend! Streetlamps be-come less bright
(Downtown! Where all the lights are bright)

Downend! from 12 to 5 at night
(Downtown! Waiting for you tonight)

Downend! Cuts 'pollution from light' down!
(Downtown! You're gonna be alright now!)

Downend...Downend!
(Downtown...Downtown!)

(orchestra fires up)

DOWNEND!
(Downtown!)

And you may find somebody kind

to drive to work beside you
(to help and understand you)

Use the Ring Road car-share lane
(Someone who is just like you)

on weekday mornings just to
(and needs a gentle hand to)

guide you along
(guide them along)

So maybe I'll see you there - we can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares, and go -

Downend! Bus 48 heads for
(Downtown! Things will be great when you're)

Downend! Has a small Co-op store
(Downtown - don't wait a minute more)

Downend! Everything's waiting for you!
(Downtown - everything's waiting for you)

(orchestra plays joyfully to fade, excited by the prospects of Downend)

lyrics adapted by James F, December 2023 :-)
(everything else is copyright)