The reason the Holte somehow managed to keep in tune, was the verses that accompanied the chant. There were quite a few verses, full of fighting talk and derision of the blue half of the City, but they helped to keep the tune in place. All of the verses were sung on away journeys, but usually, just the one (usually this one) to get the Holte going.

We took the mighty Stretford End,
We took the mighty Kop,
We took the ‘effing’ Chelsea Shed,
We took the ‘effing’ lot.
And if you are a City fan, surrender or you’ll die,
Cos we’re the Villa boot boys, and we’re coming after you…
Yippee aye eh, etc

It reads ridiculously now, but that’s how things were back then.

I used to like 'We hate, oh, we hate , the city'. A favourite, in fact, along with 'There's a Circus in the town'.