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Description: | Dated 'Nov 21st, 1869' this is one of a number of songs written on the famous Tyneside rowers.The rise of shipbuilding on the Tyne during the nineteenth century had created thousands of skilled oarsmen. This created much rivalry between the boatmen on the Tyne and those of the River Thames and professional rowing events had become a common event on the Tyne by the mid nineteenth century.Perhaps the region's most famous oarsman was Harry Clasper, a ferryman from Dunston. Clasper not only triumphed as a great oarsman, but was also an innovative boat designer. Clasper brought on the talents of other young oarsman such as Robert Chambers. Chambers won the national sculling championship in 1859 and went on to see much success on the River Tyne.The author of this song, Joe Wilson was born in Newcastle on the 29th November, 1841. At the age of fourteen Wilson joined a printers firm where he was able to indulge his love of song writing, three years later publishing his first song book. By the age of twenty-five the songwriter was touring Ned Corvan's old circuit, entertaining the crowds with his songs of domestic life. It was with songs such as 'Aw wish yor muther wad cum' and 'Dinnet clash the door' that Wilson founded his success. By the time Thomas Allan issued his fourth edition of Tyneside songs, most of Wilson's songs had been published and Allan had finally gained control of the copyright. After a short stint as the landlord of the Adelaide Hotel in 1871 Wilson returned to concert life, but sadly died within a few months of this letter being written at the age of thirty-three.The songs forms part of a collection held by Newcastle City Library. The collection comprises much of the original material collected by Thomas Allan for the publication of 'Allan's Tyneside songs'. From original Ned Corvan manuscripts to photographs of Joe Wilson, and correspondence from local figures such as Joseph Cowen, the collection provides a genuinely fascinating glimpse of some of the region's best known composers. The material dates from 1860 to 1890, spanning the dates of the various publications of the book in 1862, 1863, 1864, 1872, 1873 and 1891. ; Song manuscripts, correspondence and broadsides collected for the publication of Allan's Tyneside Songs. | Publisher: | Blanford Street ; Newcastle upon Tyne | Rights holder: | rights holder : Newcastle City Library | Subjects: | entertainment and sport Leisure sport & rowing & entertainment | Temporal: | start=1861;end=1900; | Source: | Folk Archive Resource North East | Identifier: | farne:L0103601 | Go to resource |
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