|
Date: |
|
Description: | Song in the hand of Joe Wilson.The 'one mile race' to which Joe Wilson refers was in fact a rowing match held in 1863 between Tyneside rowing champion Bob Chambers, and fellow Geordie Robert Cooper. At the time this song was written, rowing was by far the most popular sport on Tyneside. Crowds of thousands gathered to see the likes of Bob Chambers, Harry Clasper and Jimmy Renforth race their challengers on the waters of the Tyne. Robert Chambers, or 'Honest Bob' as he was known, was born at St. Anthony's in Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne in 1831. Beginning his working life in an iron foundry, Chambers made his rowing debut at the age of twenty-one. He went on to win the World Sculling Championship in 1863 as well as a number of races against fellow Geordie, Robert Cooper. Robert Chambers died on 4th June, 1868 at the age of thirty-seven.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.This song 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. | Rights holder: | rights holder : Newcastle City Library | Subjects: | entertainment and sport Leisure sport & rowing | Temporal: | start=1861;end=1900; | Source: | Folk Archive Resource North East | Identifier: | farne:L0109801 | Go to resource |
|
|