GENERATIONS of Geordies have belted out the stirring strains of Tyneside anthem, the Blaydon Races.
But they have been stunned into silence after it was revealed that their beloved song was penned to the tune of a sea shanty - from Brighton.
In fact, the catchy melody which has rang out for decades from the terraces of Newcastle's St James' Park, was named after the south coast resort.
The song was picked up by Tyneside singer-songwriter Geordie Ridley when he was looking for a tune for his new poem, Blaydon Races, in 1862.
The southern link to the North's favourite song has been revealed by music hall expert Frank Wappat.
He said: "No self-respecting Geordie will be happy about it, but I'm afraid it's true. I was researching the origins of the Blaydon Races when I discovered that the tune was from a long forgotten folk song called Brighton."
Frank also found that the first recording of Blaydon Races, by J C Scatter, in 1908, was in the wrong key, C instead of B flat.
The Blaydon Races is about a busload of revellers who set off from Newcastle for a race meeting on the riverbank.
Newcastle fan Michael Norton, 24, said: "I just can't believe our famous song is a southern song. I feel cheated. I could cry."
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