Wasn't it Dr Johnson who said of Wednesbury (et al) it was Black by Day and red by night. Foundary fires and smoke refer. That is the origin of the term Black Country.
FWIW Walsall was never considered Black because the leather trade was clean (by comparison), now how come we haven't mentioned Willenhall (lock trade) Darlaston (for nuts, screws, washers and bolts - cue joke) Gornal, Warley (did I miss any out?)
Moxley & Cosely are now part of (the City?????) Wolverhampton and by virtue of that (and no other reason) Wolverhampton is grudgingly allowed membership.

FWIW (and to risk aver more contention) Dudley was traditionally in Worcestershire.

openmike

Back on Topic try looking at some of my songs on the Black country, specifically (1) an Enoch and Eli song - Cud Ave Bin Wus and (2) a lost homeland song in the style of (uses same tune) Galway Bay about Wednesbury - Hall Green Way and (3) a Foundary man's shanty about a foreman coremekker in Darlaston Push on the Shovel
Wednesbury is (as your friend will tell you) the dead centre of civilization - the very dead centre! Songs Page

Guess my home town.

Anyone remember Bughole Bridge? Aptly placed in the back-end of Darlo.