Sorry not to have noticed this before... Dialect takes some getting used to but if you work at it the wonder will carry you away. I myself do not insist that people maintain dialect-after it all it is the normal way of speaking for a group. Like the Irish Brogue - no need to put it on unless you want to. Or in this case if you can make it work by all means translate. Please though if you need any assistance with translating Geordie there are a few references I can direct you to.

Part of the character of matching the tune and lyrics is the complementary lilt of the dialect.

Conrad