500 years this bridge has stood
500 years this bridge has stood, the bridge which gave its name,
Well I say it’s been 500 years, but the bridge is not the same,
The community was once high up, on the hills of Heptonstall,
And pack horses, would carry cloth, salt, and food for all,
For this the river must be crossed, hence the ‘pack horse bridge’ was born,
The original was made from wood, but over time the bridge had worn,
The wood began to wither, they knew it would not last,
So the bridge was rebuilt out of stone, now 500 years have passed.
A battle took place in the civil war, over this bridge that we still see,
It was due to this, we got placed on the map, in 1643,
A bridge and the White Lion Hotel, is all this town once had,
Now seeing just how much it’s changed, for me, is truly mad,
It’s hard to believe this town didn’t have, any roads or streets to roam,
I’m only 25 and just see Hebden as my home,
500 years ago, this place so empty, quiet...plain,
Now it’s full of crowded streets, cars and passing trains,
But even though it’s changed so much, it’s still to me a treasure,
It’s where I spent my childhood, that brought me so much pleasure,
Hot summer days spent in the park, by the pool or picking flowers,
Or family walks through the woods, would pass the warmest hours,
Picnic’s on the hill tops, with valley view’s around,
Peaceful, calm and blissful, only the birds that made a sound,
Camping out some nights, away from all the cars,
Laying around the campfire, just staring at the stars,
The people here are the best, most of whom have seen me grow,
Even now they still walk past, wave and say hello,
Yeh some are known as hippies, lesbians or gay,
And we have heard what Hebden’s known for, and what people have to say,
But that’s what makes our town stand out, those words are not a name,
To us it’s not a label, everyone’s the same,
We come together as a community; we work together as a team,
We try to keep our lovely town, welcoming and clean,
So many people visit here, especially bonfire night,
To watch the sky be transformed, by the fireworks so bright,
Thousands flock onto our park, they travel all that way,
To make their night fulfilled, with our spectacular display,
To stand as a family, for them all to embrace,
The warmth of the fire upon their face
The views are simply picturesque, stay deep within your mind,
There are not many places you can go, where views like this you’ll find,
No matter what some people think, or what it is they’ve said,
I’m proud of where I come from, Hebden born and bred,
So everywhere I go, it’s clear as day to see,
You can take me out of Hebden Bridge, but can’t take Hebden out of me.
Emma Timewell