Anthem of the North

The North Star leads the way
To the mountain top in awe 
That, my friend, is why they say 
Up up up... North

And so we build year after year 
And we rise tide after time
We bring light to darkness
And we shine

Welcome to our future
And all she endows
This is our dream, our vision 
This is our power, our house

This is the backbone of Britain 
And they say it is cold
But there is nothing warmer 
Than a Northern Soul

Even the tides of oceans speak of you 
Upon their chosen course
“Bring as many waves as you can” they say 
“for we are heading North”

And they come in waves to kiss our coast - 
Urged on by the North Wind
The surge of river greets the Sea
“Come in” it says “come in”

The A’s the E’s the I’s the O’s the U’s 
Flocks of vowels fill the night with song 
Great they are and migrate they do
The North is where they belong

Daughters of suffragettes sons of mines 
The digital revolution—the creation 
True North you North
You heart of our nation

And our children grow wings 
And soar across this earth 
But home they are assured 
Is the greatest place on earth

Oh North North I love you
You made me the best I could be 
You waited with open arms 
And took in a stranger like me

We are the beautiful North 
The darkness of night bows 
We are a waterfall of light 
This is our power, our house

Lemn Sissay’s “Anthem of the North” was commissioned by the Great Exhibition of the North, a free, summer-long celebration of the North of England’s pioneering spirit.