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Description: | Rounded song describing the keelboat crews of old, and how the trade has changed. - Keelmen were employed in ferrying coal from the staithes to the ships and wharves. They were the largest male occupational group in Newcastle and were famous for their drinking exploits. Their labour, however, was physically punishing and many were unfit for work by the time they reached their forties. By the time this song was written the occupation of keelman had all but died out, having been replaced by the development of the railways and other forms of transporting coal.The song is taken from Chater's canny Newcassel diary, a collection of local facts, tales, songs and other ephemera. The book was published by local printer J.W. Chater and forms part of a series of similar annuals and almanacs published by the same printer. A large majority of the songs were written especially for the publication, many as competition pieces which were judged by Chater. The various annuals contain contributions from many well known local composers such as Joe Wilson and would have been popular in their day. The books are now held at Beamish Museum. ; Local almanac including selections of local songs. | Publisher: | J.W. Chater Clayton Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear | Rights holder: | rights holder : Beamish Museum | Subjects: | keelmen & mining industry and occupation | Temporal: | start=1861;end=1900; | Source: | Folk Archive Resource North East | Identifier: | farne:B1402902 | Go to resource |
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