This query was recently posted via email to Gateshead libraries. Library user Alan Brown asked if anyone recognised the verses bellow. The comments which follow are also from Mr. Brown.

"If you want a ragtime tune, to the washouse you must go,
there you'll see such funny sites, you've never seen before,
theres camisoles,full of holes, blouses made of rope, some were narly tarn to rags,
but where there's life there's hope.
There's little maggie maw, she's tarn her husbands draws,
there's soap suds lather and steam,all of a beautiful golden dream,
some have'nt time tae do their wash, there's laughing and talking ,bawl and squash,
Old mrs hope,she squeezed her soap, she squeezed her blue bags away,
their laughing and fighting,kicking and biting, every washing day,
like the boys of the old brigade

obviously the last line refers to the irish uprising, all my family originate from the gateshead area and cumbria, and i remember it being sung at family get togethers, its as though its passed down orally, can't find any records or references pertaining to the song, thanks for your help"

I wonder if any Mudcat users recognise the song.