In my current study of the Music of Northumbria and specifically Geordie music I have oft to deal with the dialect. It has been interesting to contemplate the role and use of the dialect over time. When I was last in newcastle a time ago it was still used in ordinary speech quite commonly. Formal language was conducted in standard english. News papers, business transactions, at college....

As you look at the work of Joe Wilson and Tommy Armstrong you find dialect appearing in music. Wilson gave his last professional performance in 1874 Armstrong influenced, and inspired by Wilson lived from 1848-1920.

Most of Wilson's recitations are in some form of dialect. Wilson's career brought him in and out of printing and pub management/ownership, music hall and roles in the temperance movement.

Armstrong unable to work in the pit due to bowlegs became a poet for hire and song writer.

It is interesting that armstrong's recitations are firmly in standard english. And several of these have as their subjects local issues.

Perhaps we can see here the shrinking of the use of dialect and detect that Armstrong writing most of his songs in it was eventually at least, in his career aware of the secondary status of what was his native tongue.

A thought for you.....

to .....ponder.....

Conrad