Lyr Req: Dowie Dens of Yarrow parody

Subject: Lyr Req: Dowy Dens of Yarrow parody
From: Young Buchan
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 07:30 AM

In Oxford in the early 70s a Posadist (look it up!) miner called Dave Douglass used to sing a parody of The Dowy Dens of Yarrow called Marching Down From Jarrow, about the Jarrow Hunger Marches; I have the impression it might have been by Ed Pickford, but perhaps not. I never bothered to ask him for the words. One day he disappeared and it was too late.
I spent much of the next 15 years trying to track it down. By the late 80s I was so frustrated that I wrote my own version. Then in the early 90s I managed to contact him through the NUM. He sent me a charming letter, with many reminiscences; the one thing he couldn't remember was the words of the song!
My nightmare is that someone is going to end up sending me the words of my own version – but I'll chance it! Anyone know the words?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dowy Dens of Yarrow parody
From: GUEST,kpferret
Date: 13 Apr 05 - 07:20 AM

Yes, you're correct, it is an Ed Pickford song and the title is "the dowdy dens of Jarra". I believe it is included in his songbook which can be ordered from his website. Ed is not very well at the moment so I'm sure a contact will cheer him up.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE DOWDY STREETS OF JARROW (Ed Pickford)
From: GUEST,Ed Pickford
Date: 19 May 05 - 04:41 AM

Hi there this is Ed Pickford. Here are as many of the lyrics of The 'Dowdy Streets of Jarow' I can remember. Feel free to organise them as you wish.

THE DOWDY STREETS OF JARROW
[A parody on the Dowy Dens of Yarrow]

There is a tale I'll sing about
A tale of grief and sorrow
About a girl from Felling Square
Who was courting strong in Jarrow

The lady went to see her da
And said that on the morrow
That she would wed that teddy boy
On in the dowdy street of Jarrow

Oh daughter dear my daughter dear
Why can't you find another?
Or you'll end up a right owld drudge
Like did your dear old mother

The brother called his gang to him
And said that on that morrow
That they would "do" that teddy boy
On the dowdy streets of Jarrow

The ted he walked up through the close
Where the streets are broad and narrow
And there he spied 9 Felling lads
Come to do him in - in Jarrow

Well there he flew and there he slew
Anf there he wounded saely
Til her brother John came in beyond
And licked him most unfairly

His belt lay round his bleeding fist
He was beaten to a shadow
And there he lay all broken and torn
On the dowdy streets of Jarrow

He called his lady unto him
To ease his grief and sorrow
But she's found another at the Drill Hall dance
While he lies dead in Jarrow

You can find more of my stuff is you type 'Ed Pickford' into a search engine. I did not include the parody in my songbook.
Best wishes always
Ed Pickford