Lyr Add: The Oyster Wife's Petition

Subject: The Oyster Wife's Petition
From: *Conrad Bladey Peasant-Inactive
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 04:05 PM

The Oyster-Wife's Petition
On the removal of the Oyster-tub from the quay
tune- The Bold Dragoon

Oh! Mister Mayor, it grieves me sair--
Alas! what mun aw dee?
Wor Oyster-tub* is doom'd ne mair
To grace Newcassel Kee!-
Wor bonny lamp that brunt se breet,
And cheer'd each wintry neet se dreary,
Is gyen and lots o' canny folks
Will miss it sair when cawd and weary!

Chorus-
Wack, row, de dow, &c.

Now, for the sake of her that's gyen,
Just speak the cheering word,
Andsay, that to wor ancient burth,
Aw suen will be restor'd.
The news wor town wad 'lectrify,
Andgar yor nyem to live for ever--
In efter times yor deeds wad shine,
And 'clipse the nyem o' wor Tyne river.

Had Charley Brandling, bliss his nyem,
Been spar'd to seen this day,
He'd shown the great respect he had
For poor aud Madgie Gray;
Alas! he's gyen; close to yoursel'
Aw'll stick until aw's satisfied, sir;
When ye look on this good-like fyeece,
Maw wishes ne'er can be denied, sir.

Frae Summer-hill down to the Kee,
Fo'ks kenn'd poor Madgie weel,--
Aw's very sure wor Magistrates
For maw condition feel;
The cellar's ow'r confin'd and damp,--
Restore us to wor canny station,
And bliesings great will leet upon
Wor canny Toon and Corporation.

R.Emery -In: The Newcastle Song Book or Tyne-Side Songster., W&T Fordyce
Newcastle Upon Tyne.

*The Oyster tub alluded to stood on the quay, nearly opposite to the foot of Grinding chare. It formed rather an interesting feature in the winter nights being accompanied by a large blazing lamp, at which sat the owner, attended by several loungers.On the death of old Margery Gray, which took place abbout October 1831, this tub was removed, lest the long occupancy of the place should become a freehold, like the little barber's shop which stood at the east end of the Maison de Dieu, and which had oiginally been only a stall. August 1833.