ADD: Yer Gannin' to be a Keel Man

Subject: Yer Gannin' to be a Keel Man
From: GUEST,Darlodave
Date: 28 Jan 26 - 10:00 AM

An old Geordie song by Ned Corvan, title above, can anyone provide the lyrics please.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Yer Gannin' to be a Keel Man
From: Reinhard
Date: 28 Jan 26 - 11:30 AM

Why don't do use Google yourself? It took me just a few minutes to find Yer gannin to be a keelman.

And there was not a word of thanks from you to us who did your homework for your two requests from 15 January...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Yer Gannin' to be a Keel Man
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jan 26 - 12:57 PM

Reinhard, your tone in this message would be more justified if the link worked

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Yer Gannin' to be a Keel Man
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 28 Jan 26 - 01:11 PM

I think I've had this problem with Farne links before - the session seems to time out and the link doesn't work from outside. (Though when you get there you'll find the address is as Reinhard has it).

You can use the link to the search page: Farne Archive and then search for Gannin to be a keelman. Click on the (only) result title for the details. If you want to be able to read the words, use the Click to show larger image(s) on that page.

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Yer Gannin' to be a Keel Man
From: Reinhard
Date: 28 Jan 26 - 02:14 PM

Yes, the first link doesn't work for me anymore either when I use it in a new browser session; as Mick says you'll have to go through the search page.

YER GANNIN TO BE A KEELMAN
J. Bagnall, Edward Corvan

Yer gannin to be a keelman, ye great big slaverin’ cull,
Now luik how hard ye’ll hae to work, and how hard ye'll hae to pull;
Ye’ll hae to powey wiv a huik, till yor shoother’s very sair,
But Jacky tyek a friends advice, and think of that nae mair:
When ye wear yor flannin’ drawers, and yor stockins’ made of blue.
As sure as aw is stannin’ here, ye’ll then begin to rue;
With yor legs half down the huddock, and tire pipe stuck in yor mouth,
Ye’ll be gannin’ doon the river, and ye’ll not knaw north frae sooth.

*The skipper he will byest ye sair, when he gets ye in his paws,
He’ll myek ye work bveth day and neet, and often crack yor jaws;
Ye'll wish ye were at schuil agyen, or wanderin’ doon the burn,
I‘steed of slavin’ like a horse, sic nonsense man aw spurn:
Ye’ll be comin’ hyem at neets, with yor fvece all ower black,
And ye’ll lie an snore aside the fire, and never gis yor crack.
But Jacky tyek yor friends advice, for aw’s sure aw wish thou weel,
And never trim a shull of coals, or work aboard a keel.

There is also a footnote:
The first and last verses of this song were composed bv Mr. J Bagnall, and by his kind permission, I have published them with an adcitional verse of my own.

Looks like the third verse of the song, or the second by Bagnall, is on page 11 of Corvan's book and so not shown in this scan.

The notes on the FARNE website are:

Title : Yer gannin to be a keelman
Format : chapbook ; song
Composer : Corvan, Ned (b.1830? d.1865) ; Composer : Bagnall, J.
Production details : publisher : John Clarke
St. Nicholas Church Yard, Newcastle upon Tyne
Date : 1850

Collection name : Random rhymes, being a collection of local songs and ballads, illustrative of the habits and character of the 'sons of coaly Tyne'.

Song giving advice to a boy about to enter the keel trade. Keelmen were employed in ferrying coal from the staithes to the ships and wharves. They were the largest male occupational group in Newcastle and were famous for their drinking exploits. Their labour, however, was physically punishing and many were unfit for work by the time they reached their forties. The subject of this song would have joined a keelboat crew as the apprentice, the lowest ranked member of the team, and usually given the most unpopular jobs. These apprentices were often referred to as Pee Dee, or P.D. It is not known exactly what this abbreviation stands for but it is possible it is short for 'Poor Devil'.

This song was originally composed by J. Bagnall, and published with additions in this volume of Tyneside songs by Music Hall artist Edward Corvan. The collection dates to the Mid 19th century and consists of some of the region's most popular material. Like most of Corvan's songs, these offerings reflect the characters and lifestyles of the inhabitants of Tyneside. Many comment on topics of the day such as Richard Grainger's town improvements or local elections and would have been published in both chapbook and broadside form.

Edward Corvan, or as he was famously known, Ned was born in Liverpool and moved to Newcastle at the age of four. Following the death of his father at an early age, Corvan was raised by his widowed mother who struggled to feed the family of four on her meagre earnings. After a brief career as a sail-maker Corvan joined Billy Purvis's Victoria Theatre. Here he tried his hand at a number of things, but found most success in the performance of local and comic songs. Ned then went on to join the Olympic were he enjoyed great success with songs such as 'Astrilly'. With this popularity he travelled the North singing his Tyneside songs, eventually settling in South Shields where he operated Corvan's Music Hall. After a number of years he gave up the establishment and returned to local singing. Corvan died on the 31st August 1865 at the age of 35.

Collection description : A collection of songs by North-East Music Hall artist Ned Corvan.
Melody used : Jeanette and Jeanotte
First line : Yer gannin to be a keelman, ye great big slaverin' cull
Subject heading : industry and occupation
Keywords : keelmen & youths
Period : 1841-1860
Held by : South Shields Library
Copyright : Item reproduced by kind permission of South Shields Library

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https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oM06LKNaVmE

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Yer Gannin' to be a Keel Man
From: GUEST,Darlodave
Date: 29 Jan 26 - 05:32 AM

Mr Reinhard
Much appreciate your reply thanks for your time in providing as you did.
Not all of us know exactly where to find the information that you surely must know.
Again thank you.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Yer Gannin' to be a Keel Man
From: Reinhard
Date: 29 Jan 26 - 06:58 AM

Well in this case I looked up "be a keelman" on Wikipedia which gave two results, the pages for Edward Corvan and Joshua L. Bagnall. The latter had a reference to the FARNE archive.

(At first I searched for "... keel man" in two words which gave less results; often rewording the search helps.)

Cheers
Reinhard