She started life as a Roman fort
And became a name synonymous with music and sport
Attracting the greats, the waifs and the strays
Providing a stage for the Babes and the raves
A settlement where three rivers meet
Where the Industrial Revolution rose to its feet
And jangly guitars discovered their beat
Where Emeline, bound, did us all proud
Where the Nazi’s dropped bombs and hatred to the ground
Where a postbox stood tall, and refused to fall down 
A skyline formed with determination and grit
Communities forged with a dry northern wit
On foundations laid by hands caked in- muck
Where black lives with white
And red meets blue
Where you can chew the fat 
Over a pint or a brew

This is Manchester

The primary destination of Stevenson’s Rocket
And no, its not perfect; people will knock it
But we’re there for each other, and not for profit
We’re Addy, Burgess, Curtis, Delaney
We’ll Take That and Party… well Definitely Maybe
We’re the ten boroughs you see
From Cloud 23, 
Deansgate, Manchester Hilton
We’re innovation, regeneration
The genius of Anthony Wilson

This is Manchester

A gritty, pretty, proud county and city
Built on poetry and art
The words daubed on our streets
Swept us from our feet 
Are forever etched in hearts
And so it goes
By now you know
Hate will not tear us apart

And when the sun don’t shine
And the rain crashes down
The people unite in this glorious town
We’ll stand together to face the monsoon
Cos even in the harshest weather
We know it’ll get better
The hardiest roses will bloom
This is our garden
Our city
Our hive
This is Manchester
And these bees will continue to thrive

It’s a buzzing, breathing
Bezzing, dreaming
Living exhibition
And Mancunians’ are its curator
This is what makes Manchester unique
It’s what makes Manchester Greater