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06 Oct 04 - 03:10 PM (#1290484) Subject: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,simonlesley@bigfoot.com Does anyone know of any folk songs from North Staffordshire or nearby? Or songs that are known to have been popular in North Staffordshire? I am struggling to find out, being a classical sort...! Can you help? |
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06 Oct 04 - 05:10 PM (#1290587) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST This probably won't help much, I once heard Pete Coe sing a taditional song set in the potteries.It mentioned a story which I have always meant to follow up. The army was called to put down a big demonstration, in fact the army was ordered to fire on the marchers, but they refused. The marchers ... marched ... all through Hanley & longton etc There is also a relatively modern song which mentioned Etruria, comparing it to the face of the moon. I know a chap who sings this song, so I might be able to find out the author. William Taylor is said to have staffs connections, though from the Irish ranks came he. I'm from the potteries originally, so I hope some songs do turn up. Good luck H |
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06 Oct 04 - 05:18 PM (#1290595) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Dave the Gnome Pete Coe did some from around there - Including Farewell to the brine about th eeffects of 'brining' salt in south Cheshire - Near enough not to notice:-) I guess Harvey Andrews would be more your man for this - If I remember rightly he is from the midlands originaly but spent some time in Staffordshire and Shropshire I think as well as on the Mudcat. Where are you Harvey??? Keep refreshing and he may see it. Latest I saw from that neck of the woods though was His Worship and the Pig, who hail from North Staffs and have som ecracking songs. Click here for more details. Hope this helps and good luck with your research. Cheers Dave the Gnome |
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06 Oct 04 - 05:26 PM (#1290601) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST ... used the search engine ... Found a song I didn't know 'Hanley church bells' the entry has the details of a recording. Fenton/Burslem/Staffs didn't yield any others. Greg Stephens is from Staffs, he may know of others. H |
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06 Oct 04 - 06:26 PM (#1290659) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: greg stephens Well, it's not a song, but the Stoke Hornpipe is a cracking tune. But I think what you really need to hear is Dougie Dunn singing "Tunstall Boslem Hanley Stoke Fenton Longton through the smoke". I dont know so much about this subject as I ought. I do live here now( Stoke), but my background is Lake District,Lancashire and Cornwall. But I'm finding out what I can! |
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06 Oct 04 - 07:22 PM (#1290701) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Compton I live in Staffordshire and there's not too many old songs. Even the "Song of the Staffordshire Men"...has a cornish tune!! Phil and June Colclough come from North Staffordshire...but they write songs about Ireland. Don't "His Worship and the Pig" come from North Staffordshire?...(Jeff Parton knows a few Potteries songs) John Kirkpatrick has written for the New Victoria Theatre, "The Jolly Potters"...Actually, in the days of Peter Cheeseman, the Victoria Theatre had a regional identity with many documentary plays that had some traditional material..Regretably the New Vic is just now another theatre. Will watch this thread though as I'm interested to know as well. You could, if you are in the area, try the William Salt Library in Stafford where there may be stuff. Jon Raven wrote a book of Staffordshire Folklore with some songs but there are more Black Country songs (in the olden days, The Black Country WAS in Staffordshire! |
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07 Oct 04 - 09:04 AM (#1291206) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Ian I am also from the pottries and went to all he clubs in the area from mid 60s to 80's I know the words to -through the smoke, Blackpool treat and sylicosis. The songs that were written as part of a competition in the late 60's. I think Jeff Parten knows one about Staffs miners - Of all the lads in staffordshire a collier lad for me. See Jason Hill who runs a club up there for Lumpy tumps - staffs dish. Phil Colclough may be a good contact also. See peter cheeman for songs written or adapted for the play The Knotty I also found a song for the 1800's in a Norh Staffs Newspaper re a wrestling match between a staffs wrestler and a one from Notts. Most folk music inthe Stoke area was wiped out by the introduction of methodism whose brand of religion frowned on such music. Ian Pedley |
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07 Oct 04 - 09:55 AM (#1291238) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: open mike maybe there is a song about Pit Bulls? a.k.a. Staffordshire Terriers. |
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08 Oct 04 - 06:09 AM (#1292143) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,simonlesley@bigfoot.com Dear All Thanks for all your suggestions and historical detail! It would be great to see all the words to the miner's song, the marching song etc. Where can I get hold of tunes, too? All the best for now, Simon |
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17 Oct 04 - 10:03 AM (#1298961) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,clivejameslucas@hotmail.com back in the late 60' early 70's there were a couple of local song that use to get an airing at the red lion folk club in stoke. one was "Silicosis" and the other was "On the Club" i think that "Tunstall Boslem Hanley Stoke Fenton Longton through the smoke". was the refrain for "On The Club". both songs were recorded on a Keele Rag Record around the early 70's clivejameslucas@hotmail.com |
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18 Oct 04 - 06:38 PM (#1300089) Subject: Lyr Add: SILICOSIS From: Compton Well, CliveJamesLucas What a surprise mentioning Silicosis. I Bought the Keele Rag Record and learnt "Silicosis"...some Twenty Five Plus Years ago...Can't help thinking it was written and sung by a Bob Wilson (??)...and thinking overnight... Silicosis (Written-not traditional) They're Steppin' abite at Fave o'clock, Theer Snappin' in theer hand. Dine by the Stop 'till the speshul comes arind, They works each day a ten har shift, And earns a couple a pind, And live 'til they die o' Silicosis. Me Mother, she's a Dippers Mate, Me Fayther packs the ware. We're areet for chaner as we duuner know nor care. As lung as hays got a fag in his mith, und hafe a pint a beer, He lives till he dies o silicosis. But things are gerrin better na that Clowes is the Lord Mayor, They're openin' up the winders, they're lerrin' the air. They're painting up owd Boslem, It's enough to mek thee stare. And you may not have to die o Silicosis. Repeat First Verse Bring back any memories??...It did me!! Thanks Clive. Sorry Mudcatters if you don't fully understand "Staffycher" |
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18 Oct 04 - 07:24 PM (#1300132) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Snuffy Can you still get hold of "Arthur Toecrate in Stoke"? |
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19 Oct 04 - 08:24 AM (#1300570) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Compton It's Unlikely...Unless some one antiquarian Hanley Bookshop may have one. You coold try a google search...or try for "Alan Povey" A Co-writer of "Afur Twocrate etc." (How for to !!). Good Huntin' |
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19 Oct 04 - 01:44 PM (#1300806) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Emma B I've got a copy of Arfur Tow Crate (arm a dowter of the Staffy cher /Cheshire bowda) Can't think of any songs but, we did go Cob-a-coaling as children |
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09 Oct 05 - 08:04 AM (#1579280) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,clivejameslucas@hotmail.com hi compton i havent visited this topic for some time. yes i believe it was bob wilson who sang on the keele rag record. any ideas where i could get a copy of it i lost mine a few years ago and would like to replace it. email me sometime. |
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09 Oct 05 - 09:47 AM (#1579339) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Betsy I am not being geographically inept, but many years (30+) on a wet day in Sutton Coldfield hanging around til evening to go to the Folk Club where I was booked , I was reading a song /poetry book . I seem to remember that the Lancashire Lads ( in THAT song ) were actually based (or being sent to ?) Staffordshire during the corn law riots. I can't for the life of me remember who wrote the foreword /explanation - could it have been Mike Silver ? Cheers Betsy |
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10 Oct 05 - 04:38 AM (#1579906) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Ian There was another LP produced in Stoke Called THROUGH THE SMOKE Several of the singers from the Red Lion Club featured on it.The disc itself suffered a defect in the pressing causing needles to jump and only a small proportion of the run were sold. The record was produced by a guy in a record shop in Hanley. It may have been "Chapmans"??? I think the either the song On the Club or Blackpool Treat was written by Brian Bebbington. If I remember correctly Jeff Parton's wife sang a Staffs version of the Trees they do grow high. At the time Dudley was in Staffordshire so the DUDLEY BOYS would be a Staffs song. |
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10 Oct 05 - 05:35 AM (#1579942) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Mike, Halifax UK Bringing back memories. I remember being a student at Stoke Poly (studying ceramics!) thirty years ago and playing in a club run by a five piece accapella group 'Muggins fancy' I think Jeff Parton and Dave Boulton will know quite a few Staff's songs me ducks! Does anyone know what the Pub/club was called?? |
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10 Oct 05 - 01:36 PM (#1580272) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Cattail (no cookie) Hi all. Re Comptons reference to Alan Povey, (see above). I recently saw a CD issued by Radio Stoke called "Owd Grandad Piggott "No ale at the inn"". Short humorous stories. These were *presumably* also aired by Radio Stoke, fairly recently. The stories were written by Alan Povey, so it might be possible to contact him through Radio Stoke if you were interested. Cheers Cattail ! |
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10 Oct 05 - 01:38 PM (#1580273) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: nutty If I remember rightly, Jon Raven had connections with Staffordshire. There must be some local songs among the huge number of Midlands folksongs that he recorded. |
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10 Oct 05 - 02:03 PM (#1580291) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Tradsinger The Roud index lists about 110 songs collected in Staffordshire, but I don't know if they are from the north or south of the county. By far the most important contributor of Staffordshire songs was George Dunn and I am sure you can find recordings of him. Nutty mentioned Jon Raven who of course did a lot of work on songs of the Black Country and then there's Roy Palmer who did some collecting in the area. Sharp and Gardiner both noted songs in the county, and there's a number of children's songs from the late C19. Most of the collected songs seem to be versions of songs noted all over the UK, but there is one called "Quarry Bank Mashers", in Roy Palmer's book "Everyman's book of English Country Songs." Hope that helps. Gwilym |
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10 Oct 05 - 04:04 PM (#1580415) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Compton Just to update this...an enterprising sort of chap called Ray Johnson (who lectures on "the media" at Staffordshire University has reissued an old Lp onto CD called "A Souvenir of Stoke" with Jeff Partonm et al...and has some songs (not traditional) ibcluding "Silicosis"...I bought a copy myself from "Ceramica" ..up Bolsem, duck! Thay mayt gerrit theer! |
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10 Oct 05 - 05:06 PM (#1580459) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Mr Red What ever happed to teh Sagar Makers Bottom Knocker? a sagar is a box made of fireclay to put pottery in so that it doesn't get all tyhe bits from the coal drooping in to the clay - a kiln within a kiln about soapbax size (biggest) and a sagar kaer was the guy who........ and the bottom knocker was not the obvious - he just kade sure the base of the sagar was properly afixed. The lid was a loose fit. |
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16 Jan 06 - 09:31 AM (#1649503) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST AFAIR, it wasn't Jill Parton/McLean who sang "The Trees Grow High" but Christine Tildesley (sp?) who was still at school at the time of recording the record. |
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16 Jan 06 - 09:44 AM (#1649512) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST My father Alan Wagg was a regular at the Red Lion FC back in the 60s and we had a copy of "Stoke Folk" as an LP for many years. It is obvious that this is very similar, if not an alternative pressing, to the LP that has been referred to elsewhere in the thread. He and I now have the CD which combines the original recording with the Keele Rag records of a number of years. Dad and Brian Berrington (not Bebbington) often played together and it was Brian who sang "On The Club" and "Boslem Wakes", which is presumably what was meant by "Blackpool Treat". It was my understanding that "Uncle" Brian wrote both songs but ICBW. Before anyone performs either song, perhaps they would like to check with him. He lives at Boundary between Cheadle and Blythe Bridge, with his wife Kay who also appears on the record. Brian also appears on the record as his alter ego Albert Twemlow, accompanying Kay and ANO on "Plougman Lad". That is also the name he used in "On The Club", although I believe that the original name was that of some bone idle local politician of the time but he changed it to avoid any possibility of legal action. |
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16 Jan 06 - 09:50 AM (#1649513) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Nick Wagg (nicholas.wagg@ntlworld.com) Oops, missed my handle off the previous two postings. Finger trouble. The highlights of the Stoke Folk recording for me are Jeff and Jill Parton/McLean's contributions. Jill was a fantastic singer - whatever happened to her? - and Jeff is a real magician at things with strings. Mind you, his a capella version of the Bonnie Black Hare is the best that I have ever heard. It differs quite a lot from the Carthy words and tune recorded in Digitrad. |
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16 Jan 06 - 10:08 AM (#1649522) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Nick Wagg (nicholas.wagg@ntlworld.com) Now that I've discovered this thread, I can't leave it alone. I have in my collection an mp3 of a song called Silverdale, performed and, I believe, written by Frank Ryan, about the closing of a pit at Silverdale. However, I have a suspicion that it is about a mine in Yorkshire, rather than the district of Newcastle that is more familiar to Potters. |
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16 Jan 06 - 01:36 PM (#1649641) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Mo the caller Some where or other I've got a bendy Keele Rag record from early 60's "Talking Potteries Blues". Anyone else remember that one? |
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17 Jan 06 - 08:38 AM (#1650131) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Ian In Answer to Mike If you can recall what area the pub was in I could probably tell you. Club names could be the potteries FC, Stoke FC, Newcastle FC. If Jeff Parton was in Muggings Fancy I dont recall him having a lot to do with the club that moved from the Red Lion when it was demolished and rebuilt at the tram museum. That club went to various pubs over the years. I think Jeffs went to the (Bear) in Newcastle-U-L. The Red lion moved around. I would have to check on some of the names. The Pack horse Longport 20 years ago The Queen Victoria opposite old Stoke football ground. The kings head Stoke One in London road Newcastle. One in Hartshill. |
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17 Jan 06 - 02:51 PM (#1650353) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: greg stephens Session tomorrow night(Wed 18) at the Greyhound, Penkhull. Stoke-on-Trent. |
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17 Jan 06 - 05:28 PM (#1650422) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,DB There is a double CD of George Dunn available ; 'George Dunn - Chainmaker', Musical Traditions CD MTCD317-8. You can get this via the Musical Traditions website: www.mustrad.org.uk/records.htm. I'm sure that I could, in theory, give you a link for that - bit I'm not sure how, and why should I do all the work?! |
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17 Jan 06 - 07:23 PM (#1650499) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Compton Without being pedantin (heaven forbid!)but guest,DB...The original thread was for NORTH Staffordshire Songs...and I believe George Dunn- Chainmaker will be Black Country....another world all together!!. To my almost certain knowledge, the isn't a lot of chainmaking done in the "Potts". Almost certainly some mudcatter will now come up with some obscure source of chainmaking in North Stafforshire!! |
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12 Jun 06 - 05:46 PM (#1758358) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,magic gran hello Mo eee, i remember the 'talkin potteries blues' rag record - circa 1964 or 5..... "stoke under grime is a pretty little town, famous in the north for miles around the sun goes up and the sun goes down you dont see too much sun in a potteries town just potbanks and potbanks and around the corner - guess what - more potbanks i can remember more but won't bore you with it. it was a good song which gave us lots of laughs when performed in the clubs around stoke. |
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15 Mar 08 - 09:33 AM (#2289009) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,flopflip3 HI IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IVE GOT THE STOKE FOLK LP FOR SALE ON EBAY JUST LOG ON AND MAKE A BID THE RECORD IS BIG IN ITALY FOR SOME REASON ANYONE KNOW WHY? |
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01 Apr 08 - 07:09 PM (#2303923) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Bob Wilson 'Silicosis' is on my myspace site. Recorded (with Jeff Parton) for an LP entitled 'a souvenir from Stoke' |
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07 Jul 08 - 05:23 PM (#2383273) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Jeff Parton Brian Berrington did write Boslem Wakes and On the Club, but sadly Brian died earlier this year. I am working on a programme of North Staffordshire songs, which I hope to take out to folk clubs and (eventually) record. |
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19 Aug 08 - 12:38 PM (#2417822) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Tracy R There's a couple of GREAT Staffordshire Compilations by a Guy named Ed Lane/Laine/Layne..................in fact I m just trying frantically now to find some more of his work but he appears quite ellusive! Songs such as Balls of Clay - About the Pots / Gertie Getane / Red White & Stokie!!! Honestly he's Brill!!! Cheers |
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29 Sep 08 - 11:46 AM (#2452914) Subject: Lyr Add: NINETY TWENTY SIX AT THE ATHENAEUM From: GUEST,Ken Whitmore Dear Jeff - You might remember I wrote some lyrics for you in the production of Wizards All at the Vic back in the 70s. Here's one you might like to arrange for your new show. It's got a very posh title but dunner be put off: NINETY TWENTY SIX AT THE ATHENAEUM He marched down to London in the mining strike And stopped at a pub or something like The Toffs tottered merrily in and out And me dad went in and ordered stout "I'm sorry, sir, you're not a member here I'm sorry, sir, you're not a member here I'm sorry, sir, you're not a member here So bugger off out, you're not a member here" Then t'King stepped up and bellowed in his ear The King stepped up and bellowed in his ear The King stepped up and bellowed in his ear He took off his crown and bellowed in his ear He said "I'll buy a drink for this brave lad I will I'll buy a drink for this Potteries lad I'll buy a drink for this brave lad I will and you can put it on me tab, by Gad!" My father told the King , "Just go and take a piss Me Dad he told the King to take a running piss "I'd die before I'd join a bloody club like this I'd rather die before I'd join a club like this You can keep your fucking beer but I'll tell thee this I'd rather die before I'd join a club like this." |
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29 Sep 08 - 01:44 PM (#2453043) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Chris Murray When I was a young girl we used to see 'Folk Operas' at the Vic in Newcastle-under-lyme. I remember one about mining and another about the Primitive Methodist Church. My grandad was both a miner in that area and a Methodist. |
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16 May 09 - 01:52 PM (#2633423) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Jeff Parton Hi Ken Whitmore (if you're still around) I remember Wizards All well - and I still sing Chalk & Cheese. (That's another one for any collectors of Staffordshire songs! Sorry it's taken me so long to reply. I've only just seen your post, but with luck it won't take quite so long to come up with a tune for your Athaenium song! Cheers Jeff |
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18 May 09 - 03:24 PM (#2635013) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Jeff Parton Someone mentioned Frank Ryan (who wrote "Silverdale") on this thread some time ago. Does anyone have his email? I was given it but lost it. I'd like to check if his Silverdale is the Potteries one. |
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19 Sep 11 - 02:34 PM (#3225664) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs Mike Halifax From: GUEST,david wrench. Folk club. was that the Kings Arms in Hill Street with Muggins Fancy and were you originally from Bridgenorth with Taoist glaze interests? |
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10 Feb 12 - 06:26 AM (#3305254) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs Mike Halifax From: GUEST,David Wrench Time to dust off the slops, clear the bats, fill the arcs....the only way is up when you hit rock bottom in a city....no new spend replacing bins, set paving, jollees to Cannes, anglo saxon translations from Urdu in Houston....its community recival by direct funding in embryo cultural industries which means ceramic design studios start ups in creative residential areas along the spine of stoke and remembering our historic cultural pride &skills. You can't beat a good song in a revolution. |
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10 Feb 12 - 06:20 PM (#3305662) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Paul Burke "anglo saxon translations from Urdu " Have these been discovered in Stoke? On second thoughts, that would be odd, since Anglo-Saxon died out (in written terms) at Peterborough about 1154, while Urdu (Horde = Army language) doesn't predate the Mongol hordes- somewhere between 1200 and 1400. Stoke is rock bottom, but that's because the people there don't think. If they did, they'd know that the enemy don't have brown faces. They have overseas bank accounts. |
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07 Dec 12 - 02:30 PM (#3448823) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Bill Pickin Does any one know of a song called the potters alphabet? it was sung to the tune of Fairport conventions sailors alphabet off the album Babbecome Lee. the lyrics were A is fer ayup when greeting yer mates B is fer bostin when things are just great C is for chonnock a small turnip so sweet and D is for Doulton's who make potts down our street. i can't remember what M or N was and i can't remember the whole chorus. which was Potteries Potteries ........................................ they talk a bit funny they act a bit strange , but they'll give their last shilling and not ask for change.. If any one knows the missing lyrics please let me know, banjobilly@live.co.uk Thanks and keep up the good work. |
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08 Dec 12 - 04:32 AM (#3449108) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,SteveT It's been recorded on the CD "Look Back in 'anley" by His Worship and the Pig (Jeff Parton & Dave Boulton - always my first port of call for Potteries songs*). I can transcribe the words for you if no-one else comes up with a ready-written link. I'll keep an eye on this thread – put a reminder on it if you haven't been able to get a copy of the words. *Albums can be ordered from: His Worship and the Pig, 251 Werrington Road, Bucknall, S-o-T, Staffs: ST2 9AS, UK £6.00 inc. p&p: Cheques (payable to "J. Parton & D. Boulton") |
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28 Mar 13 - 12:26 PM (#3496001) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Martin Thompson A few references to Frank Ryan and his song Silverdale. Frank has been living in Staffordshire for many years and still writes excellent songs. He runs a singaround on the first Thursday each month at the Lamb & Flag, Little Haywwod nr Stafford. |
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29 Mar 13 - 04:38 AM (#3496253) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: John J There are some Staffordshire songs in 'Songs of The Midlands', edited by Roy Palmer, ISBN 0 7158 0177 8 JJ |
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16 Jun 13 - 01:53 AM (#3526928) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,banjo billy thanks Steve i have got the lyrics to potteries alphabet now i just can't remember what the letter M stands for. do you? |
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18 Jun 13 - 04:47 AM (#3527417) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,SteveT " "M" is for Mard Arse they whinge and they whine " |
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28 Aug 13 - 09:30 AM (#3553731) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Anne Lamb Hi there I was in a folk group back in the late 60s and there was an old chap who was a regular at the Falcon Folk club, Stafford, who sang a song about Stafford Jail and a murder that had been committed by one of the inmates. It was very dramatic and possibly was originally a Victorian music hall song, he also used to sing a song about the Staffordshire Oatcake and the choice of fillings that could be got during the interval at Stoke theatre.....by the time he had got through the chorus a couple of times, you were just in the mood for an oaty or two! I have a record somewhere in the house called 'On the Cut' with songs about the canals and narrowboats running on the Shroppie, when I was a poor student, I used to get paid to clean some of the boats in at Norbury Junction, there were a lot of singers and musicians on the cut in those days. |
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08 Jan 14 - 07:56 PM (#3590222) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Mel Does anyone know the title and lyrics to the "tunstall boslem Hanley stoke....." Song please, thank you |
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09 Jan 14 - 01:09 PM (#3590428) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST Hi The song you are after is "On the Club" by the late Brian Berrington. I've got it recorded somewhere. I'll see if I can find it and get back to you. Jeff |
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13 Jan 14 - 09:17 AM (#3591625) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST Here's "On the Club". It was written by Brian Berrington who used to sing at the Stoke Folk Club in the 1960s. I've transcribed the words from Brian's singing on the "Stoke Folk" record. Oh my name is Albert Twemlow and I come from Boslem Tine Me fayther is a mould runner, me brother's dine a mine Me sister works at Doulton's and me mother's in a pub But I meself don't work at all, I'm always on the club. CH: Tunstall, Boslem, Hanley, Stoke Fenton, Longton through the smoke. One day before I left the school me teacher said "Hey you, You'll have to get a thinking lad what you are gonna do. You conna stay at school no more, you wunna gerra sub." "That's owrate duck," I says to her, "I'm going go on the club." I thought I'd get a job of work with the good old PMT* Conducting** on a 'decker bus as went to Bentilee. A fat old woman says to me "Where can I put me stub?" And when the judge had tried me case, I was back on the club. I thought as I'd try me hand at the window cleaning trade With me barrow and me chammy cloth I thought as I was made While cleaning Wedgwood's windows I give a special rub Then I stepped back to admire me work and I was on the club I met a woman in a bar, I axed her what her did Her said her stripped for jiggerers and earned just on six quid I dosed her up with gin and port and when we left that pub I axed her if her'd strip for me and now her's in the club. So come all you likely pott'ry lads as have just heard me tale I hope you'll tak me good advice, you'll find it wunner fail Just tell the doc you've strained your back, ax for some Johnson's rub Mak sure he signs upon the lines and you'll be on the club. *PMT = Potteries Motor Traction, the original Potteries bus company. **Those were the days, when buses had conductors! Cheers Jeff Parton |
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09 Nov 14 - 05:28 AM (#3675847) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,David M Lads from the potteries used to sing a version of this, that started "My name is Willy Hancock", on their regular visits ti The Royal Oak at Wetton (the landlord was my father in law Harry Cooke)There were verses that they used to ommit because they were "Too rude to sing here in mixed company". |
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09 Nov 14 - 05:29 AM (#3675850) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,David M Lads from the potteries used to sing a version of this, that started "My name is Willy Hancock", on their regular visits ti The Royal Oak at Wetton (the landlord was my father in law Harry Cooke)There were verses that they used to ommit because they were "Too rude to sing here in mixed company". |
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02 May 15 - 05:11 PM (#3705968) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Kev Lovatt Nobody has mentioned a song that is definitely about Newcastle-under-Lyme and it's called 'Newcastle Wakes'. I nice little song that we have been singing for many years as an amateur folk group called Fustian based at Higherland Methodist Church, Newcastle. The song is included in quite a few publications but the latest one I've seen is in a book called 'West Midlands Ballads' by Michael Raven - ISBN 978 0 90611485 8. We first heard this sung by the High Level Ranters because they originally mistakenly thought it was about the 'Geordie' Newcastle. |
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02 May 15 - 07:41 PM (#3705984) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: FreddyHeadey I don't know any songs but I did spot a story that needs a song. story is of a young man buried alive—Thomas Meaykin, ... |
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21 Apr 17 - 11:33 AM (#3851675) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: FreddyHeadey [re dead link above] Story, needing a song : "The story of Thomas Meakin starts in the lovely little village of Rushton Spencer just north of Rudyard, it then moved to the town of Stone and finally ends in the churchyard of St Lawrence in Rushton Spencer and centres on the belief that Thomas Meakin was buried alive…. Thomas Meakin (or Meaykin) was born c1760 at Rushton Spencer to Thomas and Mary Meakin. Around 1780 or so, Thomas junior move to the town of Stone where he found work in service as a groom, his master being an apothecary (pharmacist). Thomas it seems caught the eye of his master's daughter. It is not known whether the attraction was reciprocated. We do know however that in Thomas was taken seriously ill and sadly died and was buried in the churchyard of St Michael's in Stone on the 16th July 1781 It would have been regarded as simply the sad death of a young man, but then we have the tale of a pony which had been in Thomas's charge, making his way to Thomas's grave and attempting to drag away the earth with his hooves. This is supposedly to have happened more than once. This naturally caused a lot of talk and suspicions amongst Thomas's friends and no doubt the people of Stone, which must have continued for some time as almost to the year of his death his grave was exhumed and on opening the coffin Thomas's body was found to be face down. It was then believed that Thomas had taken – or been given a very powerful narcotic which did not kill him but gave the appearance of death. His family and friends then had his body taken back to Rushton Spencer for re-interment in the churchyard of St Lawrence, but perhaps because of the circumstances he was laid to rest with his feet to the west as is his gravestone, in the believe that his ghost would be laid to rest. The Parish Register at Stone records state that "Thomas Meakin of Stone was buried July 16th 1781 and was removed thence and buried at Rushton Spencer July 17th, 1782." His west facing gravestone reads:- Memento Mori Thomas son of Thomas And Mary MEAYKIN Interred July 16_ 1781 Aged 21 years 'As a man falleth before Wicked men, so fell I' 'Bia Thanatos' 'Memento Mori' - Be mindful of death. 'Bia Thanatos' - Death by Violence No charges were bought against anyone in connection of Thomas Meakin's death." http://www.visitinghistoryinstaffordshire.com/thomasmeakin-buriedalive.asp |
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21 Apr 17 - 07:31 PM (#3851749) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: rich-joy The fabulous "Muckram Wakes" are more usually connected with Derbyshire, but I used to sing "Cathy Shaw" written, I think, by Roger Watson, which mentions "...I was brought up in Staffordshire (but there I dwell no more)..." Okay, that may be drawing a long bow, but wasn't the singer, Helen Wainwright, from Staffordshire??!! Anyway, years after I used to sing that song at folk clubs, I discovered I had Staffy heritage, LOL! Cheers! Rich-Joy (Down Under) |
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22 Apr 17 - 03:37 AM (#3851793) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Mr Red no songs about Staffordshire Oatcakes? |
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22 Apr 17 - 04:31 AM (#3851811) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST As this thread has been resurrected here's an additional song – "Diglake Field" by Phil & June Colclough which is, I believe, about the 1895 Diglake Disaster. It's discussed here . |
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22 Apr 17 - 02:42 PM (#3851886) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Desi C Phil & June Colclough of North Staff's wrote the very beautiful Song For Ireland |
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23 Apr 17 - 02:48 AM (#3851936) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Mr Red Any songs about Rudyard? The lake that is, not the poet named after it. |
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23 Apr 17 - 06:23 AM (#3851967) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,henryp We are delighted to announce a daring tightrope walk will take place twice a day on the 30 April/1/2 May 2016. High wire walker Chris Bull of the Bullzini Family will recreate the walk across Rudyard Lake, first undertaken by Carlos Trower, the 'African Blondin', in the 1860s. Michael Symmons Roberts was commissioned to write A Tightrope Song to celebrate A Day at the Lake. |
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23 Apr 17 - 06:51 AM (#3851974) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,henryp Staffordshire's southern border has a complicated history! From Wikipedia; The Counties (Detached Parts) Act 1844 was an Act of Parliament which abolished many of the exclaves of counties in England and Wales. The boundaries of Worcestershire, England have been fluid for over 150 years since the first major changes in 1844. Worcestershire had an unusually large number of exclaves, which were cut off from the main county and completely surrounded by the nearby counties of Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire (Detached) and Oxfordshire. The most notable islands were Dudley, Evenlode, Blockley and the area around Shipston-on-Stour. Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Shropshire had their own exclaves within the main part of Worcestershire at Rochford, Broome, Clent, Tardebigge (Tutnall and Cobley) and Halesowen. Tardebigge's history is even more colourful, changing hands from Worcestershire to Staffordshire and Warwickshire, before returning to Worcestershire at differing times over the centuries. A significant boundary change occurred in 1926 when the east of Sedgley was transferred to Worcestershire to allow the construction of the new Priory Estate on land purchased by Dudley County Borough council. A major reorganisation in the Black Country in 1966, under the recommendation of the Local Government Commission for England led to the creation of an area of contiguous county boroughs. The county borough of Dudley, historically a detached part of Worcestershire, expanded and became associated with Staffordshire instead. This reorganisation led to the administrative county of Staffordshire having a thin protrusion passing between the county boroughs (to the east) and Shropshire, to the west, to form a short border with Worcestershire. Wolverhampton, Walsall, West Bromwich, and Smethwick were historic Staffordshire towns until local government reorganisation created the West Midlands county in 1974. |
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23 Apr 17 - 07:02 AM (#3851977) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Mr Red the tightrope song was the walk &/or song easy or was it ruddy 'ard? Mr Red (Staffordshire man & canal enthusiast) FWIW the lake is actually a reservoir for the Caldon canal. |
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24 Apr 17 - 04:41 AM (#3852107) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,henryp Under the leadership of founding Director, the late Peter Cheeseman, the Vic company earned an international reputation through its pioneering work in creating verbatim, musical documentaries. Productions such as The Jolly Potters (1964), Fight for Shelton Bar! (1974), Miner Dig the Coal (1981) and Nice Girls (1993) reflected the experiences and preoccupations of the communities of North Staffordshire, with its economy based on ceramics, coal and steel. |
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24 Apr 17 - 04:55 AM (#3852108) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Rob Naylor Duncan Bourne, a climbing friend who is also a great cartoonist/ illustrator, has a CD of unaccompanied potteries-related songs at: Duncan Bourne Potteries Songs And here he is singing "Fireman", a song about a kilnman in the potteries in the mid 1800s: Duncan Singing "Fireman" About a Kilnman And Duncan on Soundcloud doing "The Potteries Song": The Potteries Song on Soundcloud |
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24 Apr 17 - 07:42 AM (#3852129) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: FreddyHeadey Thanks for Duncan's"potteries song", I'd not heard that one. Duncan gives a brief mention of an oatcake in the lyrics of his "They Don't Make Oatcakes In Ohio" which is here on yt with some other oatcake songs, though theyre not particularly 'folky'. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM6cU8b4WUOQRZZF2Qs0hdDtccMC8YKVW Btw he does some brilliant cartoony artwork if you're after album covers/ adverts etc |
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24 Apr 17 - 07:53 AM (#3852131) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Rob Naylor FreddyHeady....yes, Duncan did some caricatures of some of my staff about 10 years ago, when I was part owner of a business. We blew them up to life-size and printed them as the backdrop to a booth we had at a trade fair. Everyone else's backdrops were whizzy technical displays of kit, field operations or fancy graphics. Guess which booth got the most reaction? His regular cartoon strip in one of the climbing magazines was just brilliant, too. |
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24 Apr 17 - 07:58 AM (#3852132) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Rob Naylor FreddyHeady: In fact, it's on his website still: Booth Backdrop Some of those caricatured were manning the booth at various times. The resemblances were uncanny, considering he was working from passport photo head and shoulders shots and a brief description from me on their personalities. |
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26 Apr 17 - 09:15 AM (#3852521) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: rich-joy Jon Raven performing "The Song of the Staffordshire Men" : "For this is the song of the Staffordshire men, In forge, in kiln, in mine. Our fires shall burn, and our mill-wheels turn And the Knot shall be our sign." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IdeeTvw1dk and there are more Black Country numbers too .... R-J |
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26 Apr 17 - 12:39 PM (#3852557) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: FreddyHeadey rich-joy link above ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IdeeTvw1dk |
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26 Apr 17 - 04:38 PM (#3852582) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Brave Dudley Boy Ian [above] is wrong, Dudley has never been in Staffordshire. As another contributor noted it was an enclave of Worcestershire and remained so until the 'West Midlands' conurb was formed. The County Cricket ground [sadly gone] was a home ground for Worcs. until the 1970's and derby games against the Bears [Warwickshire] were always well attended and hotly contested. The Staffordshire border ran alongside the Crooked House pub just west of Gornal at one end and along the Tipton Road to the east. Quarry Bank, though technically part of Dudley Borough, was in Staffs traditionally and was the home of the great traditional singer George Dunn. |
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27 Apr 17 - 06:24 AM (#3852688) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Mr Red Crooked House - was the Glyn Arms when I first went. & ............... Kworry Bonk owr kid. Getit right, mon. & ............. PS (just to be über-pedantic) exclave I think is the correct term (of Worcestershire). |
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27 Apr 17 - 11:22 AM (#3852732) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST Some oatcake songs on YouTube, mostly not terribly folky imho, or oatcakes are barely(!) mentioned so I'm not going into a lot of detail Never Underestimate An Oatcake _ Terry James The Oatcake Boat Song _ neo anderson I Want Oatcakes (For My Christmas Dinner) _ Merrym'n(Bob Moston) They don't make oatcakes in Ohio _ Duncan Bourne An Oatcake's Not Negotiable _ Terry James https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM6cU8b4WUOQRZZF2Qs0hdDtccMC8YKVW ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Merrym'n(Bob Moston) has other Stoke songs on Youtube I Was Born In Stoke-on-Trent Anna Of The Five Towns 47 Bottle Kilns https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWSjgUVVET2bb0GzSHV9Gmx1F9gekEVLB ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just for the record Recently Sam Edwards has written "Mmmmmm...Oatcakes!" but it isn't on line, I don't know if it is singable http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2006/02/24/ode_to_an_oatcake_feature.shtml One from a famous poet locally, but this isn't very singable Ode to the Oatcake _ Arthur Berry "Let us pay homage to the Oatcake Or Oatcake or woodcake as the old men called them. The oatcake is not a cake at all really Not like the fairy cake or the Eccles cake Not a cake in that way More of a Potteries Papadum A sort of Tunstall Tortilla A Clay Suzette." http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2006/02/24/ode_to_an_oatcake_feature.shtml ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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27 Apr 17 - 03:23 PM (#3852783) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: FreddyHeadey That was me. Wrong link above, should read : ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just for the record Recently Sam Edwards has written "Mmmmmm...Oatcakes!" but it isn't on line, I don't know if it is singable http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/schoolboy-s-ode-oatcakes-features-new-poetry-book/story-28049951-detail/story.html |
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27 Apr 17 - 05:36 PM (#3852805) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: John J Anybody know whatever happened to Muggins Fancy - 3 lads from Staffordshire who had tremendous voices and used them to very good effect in the folk clubs in the area in the mid - late 1970s. |
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01 May 17 - 11:59 AM (#3853256) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: FreddyHeadey [some contemporary poems, incase anyone is interested "... In 2016 Staffordshire County Council's Libraries & Arts Service took the decision to develop the Staffordshire Poetry Collection. Our aim has been to create a picture of the county in words, to capture its diversity and in so doing help to create a cultural identity and awareness for the county as a whole. We have of course a rich heritage of poetry going back centuries, but we wished to create a feeling of life in Staffordshire as it is today. The poems in the collection are therefore contemporary and as varied in form and tone and content as the county itself. ..." https://staffordshirepoetlaureate.wordpress.com/the-staffordshire-poetry-collection/ ] |
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01 May 17 - 01:01 PM (#3853273) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST And there are the ancient Leekfrith Talks too. Sorry, that should be Torcs. It's caused a lot of trouble at the Potteries Museum. |
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05 May 17 - 02:36 AM (#3853359) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Mr Red Just dug this up, (sticking my neck out!) Wiki talking about Leekfrith Torcs |
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06 May 17 - 04:57 PM (#3853576) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST Yes, Mr Red, Glynne Arms it was, (spelt like this if you like pedantry) - but known to Gornalites as the 'Sidin' House' after the then close by mineral railway siding. George Dunn was proud of being one of the few people born in Sheffield Street who could read and write and would definitely have spelt it 'Quarry Bank'. I know this for a fact as my grandfather was one of the others ! |
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07 May 17 - 09:14 AM (#3853665) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: Mr Red but how wud them be sayin it? |
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07 Feb 23 - 07:50 AM (#4164682) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Kevin Lovatt Dave Boulton - originally with Muggins Fancy then His Worship & The Pig. Great songwriter. https://david-boulton.co.uk/ |
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04 Jul 23 - 06:21 AM (#4176080) Subject: RE: North Staffordshire songs From: GUEST,Dennis Littlehales Can anyone help me acquire a copy of this rare 'Stoke Folk' LP from 1968? It seems to be almost impossible to acquire now. I don't need the actual physical release, a decent digitisation would serve my purposes nicely as I only want top listen to it/ study it academically as a cultural artefact. I would be willing to pay for the help. |