The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #55948   Message #4082461
Posted By: GUEST,jim bainbridge
08-Dec-20 - 12:19 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Sally Gee: The lass down on the quay
Subject: RE: Origins: Sally Gee: The lass down on the quay
It's a great song if not exactly PC for 2020.

The late Alex McKie of (the Felling) on Tyneside was the first and best singer I heard of it, about 1965.
I suspect that most, if not all of the Tyneside singers learned it from Alex at the clubs at that time. Certainly James 'Jim' Boyles of Sunderland got it from him.
Alex was of Irish extraction and with a fine repertoire of Tyneside and Irish songs. He was due to be recorded, but came down with a very sore throat and it nevber happened. Sadly, I'm pretty sure that he never recorded 'Sally Gee' a real pity...
Dick Irwin, the Tyneside comedian & MC at Balmbra's music hall in Newcastle also sang it.