Origins: Sally Wheatley and Mr. (Charley) Black

Subject: Origins: Sally Wheatley and Mr. (Charley) Black
From: Nerd
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 12:32 AM

We've had several threads pointing out that Joe Wilson, the Tyneside writer, entertainer and humorist of the nineteenth century, wrote the words to the great song popularized by Alex Glasgow.

But I've not seen it mentioned that Wilson wrote at least one other piece about the lovebirds Sally Wheatley and Mr. Black. Wilson wrote a performance piece, sort of a monologue, called "Sally Wheatley's Comments on the Luv Letter She Got Frae Charley Black, the Keyside Clerk." It consists of a pretty standard love poem in standard English, interspersed with Sally's Comments, in broad Geordie dialect. It kind of shows that Mr. Black is a bit snooty, not down-to-earth like Sally, and she often has to puzzle out the meanings of his tortuous poem. But on the other hand it shows that his heart in the right place.

The piece fills in the story of Sally and Mr. Black. It reveals that Sally once took a walk with Jimmy Allan, possibly the narrator of "Bonny Sally Wheatley," and that Mr. Black has been jealous ever since; however, Mr. Black has also walked with one of Sally's friends, possibly in retaliation.

It's also clear that both Sally and Mr. Black are thinking of marriage, just as the song "(Bonny) Sally Wheatley" suggests.

I just thought I'd post this note since it's kind of nice when folksong characters have more lore associated with them!

Subject: RE: Origins: Sally Wheatley and Mr. (Charley) Black
From: Leadfingers
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 07:12 AM

Thats interesting , Nerd . Do you by any chance have the monologue available to post ? I am sure it would be well received by any one who sings 'Sally Wheatley'

Subject: RE: Origins: Sally Wheatley and Mr. (Charley) Black
From: Blowzabella
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 07:44 AM

Oh please do post it, if you can, Nerd. I'd love to read it. That's a new one on me.

Blowz

Subject: RE: Origins: Sally Wheatley and Mr. (Charley) Blac
From: Nerd
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 10:29 AM

Well, it's pretty long and all in a dialect not my own. I'll do my best to type it up in the next few days...or perhaps I'll scan it in!

Subject: RE: Origins: Sally Wheatley and Mr. (Charley) Black
From: Leadfingers
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 02:16 PM

If its on the net already Nerd just post a link to the site . Failing that we are just going to nag at you till you sit down and post the whole thing .

Subject: RE: Origins: Sally Wheatley and Mr. (Charley) Black
From: Blowzabella
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 03:45 PM

Please Mr Nerd, please..pretty please...?

Subject: RE: Origins: Sally Wheatley and Mr. (Charley) Black
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 06:17 PM

Page images are available at the Farne archive. The site was designed to look good rather than for ease of use, and it isn't usually possible to link to individual items from elsewhere.

Go to http://www.asaplive.com/Archive/advanced_search.asp and search for (title) sally wheatley and (name) joe wilson. That will get you both the original song and its sequel.

Subject: RE: Origins: Sally Wheatley and Mr. (Charley) Black
From: Leadfingers
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 06:37 PM

Thanks for that Malcom - IF I could fake the dialect I would have a go at it , but I think I will leave that one to some one who can do it Justice . Fascinating addition to the song though .

Subject: RE: Origins: Sally Wheatley and Mr. (Charley) Blac
From: Nerd
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 12:54 AM

Thanks Malcolm. When I get a chance I'll scan it and OCR it so it will be here at the 'cat.

Subject: RE: Origins: Sally Wheatley and Mr. (Charley) Black
From: Blowzabella
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 05:06 PM

Many thanks to you both

Blowz