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Description: | This is the first draft of the song about the famous Tyneside oarsman, and a useful clue to Wilson's writing methods. The full version can be found in his 1890 publication 'Tyneside songs and drolleries ... [etc.]'.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. Many rowers such as Harry Clasper, Robert Chambers, and James Renforth achieved national fame and were immortalised in local songs and poems. This song refers to the death of famous Tyneside rower, James Renforth. Renforth's career was short and tragic. Between 1868 and 1871 Renforth won 39 races before he collapsed and died over his oars in Canada in 1871.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: | Newcastle upon Tyne | Rights holder: | rights holder : Newcastle City Library | Subjects: | sport & entertainment & rowing entertainment and sport Leisure | Temporal: | start=1861;end=1900; | Source: | Folk Archive Resource North East | Identifier: | farne:L0104701 | Go to resource |
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