Lyr Req: Songs about John 'Iron Mad' Wilkinson

Subject: Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 09:29 AM

I am searching for songs concerning John 'Iron Mad' Wilkinson. He was an Iron maker, born in Cumbria in 17?? and died in around 1810.

Moved Iron technology on a lot and made lots of things out of cast iron including boats, a pulpit, Ironbridge and his own coffin.

I seem to remember a song possibly sung by McColl, but if not in a collection of Industrial songs.

Ring any (iron?) bells

Subject: RE: Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: Paul Burke
Date: 24 Nov 05 - 09:16 AM

Robin Grant?

Subject: RE: Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 24 Nov 05 - 11:27 AM

Thanks Paul. I noticed this through Google and quite a lot of History of Johnn Wilkinson but no songs.

I remember a song about him in a themed record and thought it might be 'The Iron Muse', checked that but it's not there. I also thought it might be a Roy Palmer link but have failed theree too. Lets hope someone else remembers.

Subject: RE: Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 24 Nov 05 - 06:40 PM

You find the song " John Wilkinson" in John Raven's book Victoria's Inferno but only text ,no tune

Subject: RE: Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: GUEST,Fullerton
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 02:47 AM

Is that the Wilkinson Sword razor Wilkinson?

Subject: RE: Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 12:39 PM

Thanks Geoff that's the best link yet.

I have found the book on Google. I still have this memory of it being sung on a record so perhaps some one else will also.

Subject: Lyr Add: JOHN WILKINSON
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 06:51 PM

The words of this version of John Wilkinson are

You workmen of Bilston and Bradley draw near,
Sit down, take your pipes and my song you shall hear,
I sing not of war or the state of the nation,
Such subjects as these produce nought but vexation.

But before I proceed any more with my tale,
You shall all drink my health in a bumper of ale,
Fill it up, and without any further parade,
John Wilkinson, boys, that supporter of trade.

May all his endevours be crowned with success,
And his works, ever growing, prosperity bless,
May his comforts increase with the length of his days,
And his fame shine as bright as his famous blaze.

That the wood of old England would fail did appear,
And though iron was scarce because charcoal was dear,
By puddling and stamping he cured that evil,
So the Swedes and the Russians may go to the divil.

Our thundering cannon too frequently burst,
And mischief so great he prevented the first,
And it is well known they never miscarry,
But drive all our foes with a blast to old Harry.

Then let each jolly fellow take hold of his glass,
And drink to the health of his friend and his lass,
May we all have plenty of good beer and pence,
And Wilkinson's fame blaze a thousand years hence.

Raven says that the text is from "In Praise of Ale" by W. Marchant, 1888, and cites three other variant versions, one in A. N. Palmer's "John Wilkinson and the Old Bersham Ironworks", 1899 and the others, with "Brymbo and Bersham" as the towns in the first line, appearing in Salter's Grinning made Easy" and "The Woodlark" by Anne Tye of Wrexham.


I hope that helps

Subject: RE: songs by Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 26 Nov 05 - 04:08 AM

Thanks Geoff, that's really brilliant.

I am organising a week of science and storytelling for 14 year olds. Last year we started with the story of the Mass Trespass on Kinder and sang the Manchester Rambler. This year we will be at Castle Head near Grange over sands. I have just discovered it was the home of John 'Iron mad' Wilkinson. That's why I need a song or two to kick of the week. Thanks again

Subject: RE: songs by Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 26 Nov 05 - 12:07 PM

I don't suppose this matters much but I intended to title this thread; Songs about Iron Mad Wilkinson not by him!

Subject: RE: songs by Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 12:00 PM

Refresh?

Subject: RE: songs by Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 08:11 AM

Stll refreshing?

Subject: RE: songs by Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 04:38 AM

I have the written words somewhere of a song about John Wilkinson,
or his ilk. Entitled Humphrey Hardfeatures description of cast-iron inventions. It was taken off an LP possibly ARCO (Z) DA86 and the source is listed as , Contributed by the Birminghan Folk Centre.

Most of the words and tune are in my head but im having trouble with my retreival programme today.I may have better luck finding a hard copy.

Subject: RE: songs by Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 05:05 AM

Thanks a lot Guest, sounds like the same song to me. It goes round in my head a little. I remember particularly the lists of inventions cast iron this and cast iron that.

Anyone else?

I have had a good trawl on Google and get lots of Wilkinson connections but none for the song. I have also tried the Bodlian Broadsides but cannot find the particular song

Subject: RE: songs by Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: Paul Burke
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 07:21 AM

Humphrey Hardfeatures' description of Cast Iron Inventors R White & C Spicer
Solo voice.

here?

Subject: RE: songs by Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 08:04 AM

Thanks Paul, that sounds like the song.

I can begin to learn it and build a true around story around John Wilkinson, whilst actually being in the house and on the estate that he built at Castle Head, near Grange over sands althoughs years ago

thanks again - I will give you and the Mudcat credit when I sing the song and tell the story.

Subject: RE: songs by Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: Ian
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 09:45 AM

Hey Paul you beat me to it. I came up as guest earlier and I was just about to list that site.

It was an ARGO not ARCO recording. ZDA 86 is in the middle of a run of records by Ewan McColl

Subject: RE: songs by Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 02:20 PM

I thought McColl might be involved. Is the Argos record a compilation of Industrial ballads and songs?

Subject: RE: songs by Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 06:38 PM

Humprey Hardcastle is another of the songs printed in Jon Raven's book "Victoria's Inferno" this time complete with the tune. It says that the version printed was abridged and adapted by Roy Palmer so Les , your hunch about a connection was right.

Subject: RE: songs by Iron Mad Wilkinson
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 06:43 PM

Thanks a lot Geoff, I think the book is still for sale.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs about John 'Iron Mad' Wilkinson
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 16 Mar 21 - 07:40 PM

John Wilkinson gets a short mention and half a verse of the song in James Burke's programme
Wind
The Essay
Science Notes Episode 5 of 5
BBC radio 3 - 12 Feb 2021 - 'available for over a year'

"unexpected connections between his twin passions of science and classical music. In this final essay he leads us, via steam engines, precision instruments, waterworks and iron coffins, to the modern orchestra."


https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000s3zt
@ about 3:40 if you're searching

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs about John 'Iron Mad' Wilkinson
From: GUEST,#
Date: 16 Mar 21 - 10:11 PM

http://www.llti.lt/failai/TD59_spaudai_internetine%20versija-104-117.pdf

Worth the read.