30 Jul 00 - 01:43 PM (#267936)
Subject: More Innovations
From: *Conrad Bladey Peasant-Inactive
More Innovatons! Newcastle's sore transmogrified, as every one may see
But what they've done is nought to that they still intend to dee:
There still remain some sonsy spots, pure relics of our ancient features,
O' which our canny town shall brag, while bonny Gateshead boasts sand-beaters. The scrudg'd up Foot of Pilgrim-street, they surely will not mind,
'Tis such a curiosity--a street without an end;
Should they extend it to the Quay, and show off All Saints' Church so neatly,
It might look fine, but I'm afraid 'twould spoil the Butcher-bank completely! Of pulling down the Butcher-bank it grieves one's heart to speak,
From it down every Quayside-chare there's such a glorious keek;
The shambles, too, a bonny sight, the horse and footways nice and narrow-
Say what they will, seek through the world, the Butcherbank is bad to marrow. Our fishwives, too, might well complain, forc'd off the hill to move,
Where they so long had squall'd in peace, good fellowship and love:
The brightest day will have an end, and here the Sandhill's glory closes,
Now flies and fumes no more will make the gentles stop their ears and noses. 'Tis said they mean to clear away the houses in the Side,
To set off olf St. Nich'las church, so long our greatest pride;
But where's the use of making things so very grand and so amazing,
To bring daft gowks from far and near, to plague us with their gob and gazing.
The Middle-street's to come down next, andgive us better air,
And room to make to hold at once, the market and the fair;
Well may Newcastle grieve for this, because in hot or rainy weather,
It look'd so well to see the folks all swelter'd in a hole together. The Tyne's to run out east and west; and, 'stead of Solway boats,
Our greenland ships at Carlisle call, and not at Johnny Groat's;
Dull we may be at such a change--eh, certies, lads, haul down your colours!--
'Twould be no wonder now to see chain-bridges ruin all the scullers. R. Gilchrist -In: The Newcastle Song Book or Tyne-Side Songster., W&T Fordyce
Newcastle Upon Tyne.
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