THE DEETH 0' HARRY CLASPER.

AJR-"Black-Eyed Susan."

SAD, sad's me heart, an' aw greet full sair,
Beside war hero's lowly bed,
Te think aw'll see me aud frind ne mair,
The frind that forst Tyne famous myed;
The forst an' last 0' wor greet Tyneside men,
Poor Harry Clasper, poor Harry Clasper,
Gyen! for ivor gyen!

Sharp wes the blow, like the leetnin's dart,
Deeth claim'd the vet'ran as its awn,
An' filled wi' pain iv'ry beatin heart
For him we'd luv'd, for him we'd knawn;
The forst boat-builder for wor Tyneside men,
Poor Harry Clasper, poor Harry Clasper,
Gyen! ay, deed an' gyen.

He's left the hyem that he luv'd se weel,
The "Coaly Tyne" his constant pride,
The frinds that lang, lang his loss 'ill feel,
An' luv'd ones that he's left beside;
The forst brave Champein 0' war Tyneside men,
Poor Harry Clasper, poor Harry Clasper,
Gyen, ay, deed an' gyen.

Sair, sair he greev'd when Bob Chambers dee'd,
The world's greet Champein he had myed,
Wi' nyems combined, byeth 0' Tyneside breed,
An' honest upreet life they led,
Two gems, examples for a' Tyneside men,
Poor Harry Clasper, poor Harry Clasper,
An' Bob Chambers gyen!

Fareweel, aud frinds, ye've byeth run yor race,
An' mem'ry whispers this te me,
We'll find ne Champeins te fill yor place,
Tyneside affeckshuns clings te ye;
The forst greet heroes amang Tyneside men,
Poor Harry Clasper, poor Harry Clasper,
Au' Bob Chambers gyen!

Source: Joe Wilson,(author) Songs and Drolleries, 1890