‘We are the Geordies’ is an iconic chant that has been sung at Newcastle games for generations.
The chant can trace its origins back to the 1960s and is sung to the tune of ‘You Are My Sunshine’.
The song of course references the Geordie identity, and ‘bootboys’ refers to a 1960s youth subculture that was a reaction to the hippie movement.
It’s one of two key chants referring to the Geordie identity, alongside ‘We are the Geordies of NUFC’.
We are the Geordies song lyrics
We are the Geordies,
The Geordie Boot Boys,
For we are mental,
We are mad,
We’re the loyalest football supporters,
The world has ever had.
We are the Geordies video
What’s the history of the ‘We are the Geordies’ chant?
The term “Geordie” is of course the name for people from the Newcastle area, and is believed to have originated from the region’s coal mining industry. The chant was first sung by Newcastle fans in the 1960s, and has since become a regular number on the terraces at St James’ Park.
Meanwhile “Bootboys” refers to a 60s youth subculture that was represented by short ‘skinhead’ hair (the number 1 hair cut), work shirts, short jeans – supported by suspenders – and steel-toe boots.
The culture was linked to football hooliganism but was a visceral terrace culture that railed against hippies and anything bourgeois. It predated fans who became known as ‘casuals’ and included the most passionate of fans.
At this time, of course, fans had an altogether different experience in the stadium to the more sterile atmospheres today.
Fans were packed tightly together on terraces, there was minimal segregation between rival supporters, and crowd surges were common – leading fans to crunch into barriers.
Bootboys from rival clubs wouldn’t always be averse to causing each other a little bother after the game…
Another chant that likely sprang up at this time is ‘Who’s That Team We Call United?’
All in all, the chant is a symbol of Newcastle’s history, identity, and spirit. It celebrates the city’s working-class culture, and the passion and loyalty of Newcastle United fans.
What tune is ‘We are the Geordies’ sung to?
‘We are the Geordies’ is sung to the tune of ‘You are my Sunshine’, a classic American folk song that has been covered by countless artists over the years. The song was first recorded in 1939 by Jimmie Davis, a country music singer and later governor of Louisiana.
The song’s simple melody and touching lyrics have made it a favourite across multiple generations, and it has been used in films, TV shows, and commercials.