1 note
Lancaster is near Morecombe Bay. The references to places along the line suggest that the poet was writing from experience of the journey. The route described in the poem was opened by the South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway in 1861. It became part of the North Eastern Railway in 1863 thus linking Lancaster and Stockton on Tees.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Durham_and_Lancashire_Union_Railway
Stockton on Tees was a river port for vessels using the North Sea
Perhaps the poet means the member of the falcon family capable of rapid acceleration in flight.
According to Francesca Wilde "Fairies take great delight in horsemanshio and are spendid riders. Many fine young men are enticed to ride with them, when they dash along with the fairies like the wind"
[Ancient legend, Mystic Charms and Superstions of Ireland http://www.libraryireland.com/AncientLegendsSuperstitions/Ride-Fairies.php]
Karl Dallas wrote(i) that this was "One of the first songs Jim Ward wrote was about his experiences working for the London and North Eastern Railway."
(i) 100 Songs of Toil p