Kathryn Williams - Foyboatmen (Radio 2’s 21st Century Folk)

Kathryn Williams performs ‘Foyboatmen’ to Michael Dodds, the man who inspired the song. The song was written by Kathryn with lyricist Chris Difford of Squeeze, after Chris met Michael to learn about his life. Michael is a fifth-generation foyboatman in the port of Sunderland. ‘Foyboatman’ is a North East English name for a dock line handler. They work around the clock to moor big ships against the quayside. Sunderland was once known for shipbuilding and exporting coal. Steel from Ukraine was regularly imported there, until recently. In future, thousands of turbines will ship from Sunderland for a giant offshore wind farm on Dogger Bank. The performance was recorded at Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne. Boo Hewerdine accompanies Kathryn on guitar, as they perform to Michael, his wife Susan, and the song’s co-writer Chris Difford. To hear Michael’s full story, find 21st Century Folk on BBC Sounds: Produced by 7digital