The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #157888   Message #3729853
Posted By: GUEST,Infrequent but always polite guest
12-Aug-15 - 01:56 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: I am a Bold Democrat, 1840s, UK Chartist
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I am a Bold Democrat, 1840s, UK Chartist
Yes, #, William Cuffay was well known as a singer of Chartist songs, glees, and traditional songs, according to those who knew him and according to the Northern Star, which was a Chartist newspaper of the time:

http://cuffay.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/northern-star.html

That possible reference from Henry Vincent in 1839 is extremely interesting and I hadn't seen it before. Even if it's not an identical song, the use of the word "Democrat" connects them within the traditions of Chartist singing at the time. Thank you very much!

BTW anyone looking for pro-Chartist ballad sheets will do better online at the NLS than the Bodleian.