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Joe Wilson - Tyneside Songwriter

© Stephen William Gray

Joe Wilson (1841 - 1875) was one of the most celebrated of Tyneside songwriters. His most well-known song nowadays is "Keep Your Feet Still Geordie Hinny" which he put to the memorable tune "Nelly Gray".

Joe was a printer by trade and, according to a short auto-biography of 1867, songwriting had long been his hobby, with his first book of songs published when he was 17. His aim was for a place in the hearts of Tyneside folks through his homely songs.

His first "hit" - and this was the word he used - was "Geordie Haud the Bairn", with the refrain "Aw wish your mother would come". His next successes were with "The Row Upon the Stairs", "The Gallowgate Lad" and "Dinnet Clash the Door".

Joe's music-hall career was established via a 3-month stint at the Wheatsheaf, more famous as Balmbra's. He appeared on the opening night after the re-naming. Things don't change - there was an outcry only last month as the current owners tried to change the name from Balmbra's to Reflex and turn it into a 1980's theme bar!

At first, Joe printed his own songs as he composed them, but later had them printed by Howe Bros. of Gateshead where used to work. As his popularity peaked, he retired from the life of a concert performer to settle down as a publican. He took over the Adelaide on New Bridge Street in Newcastle. (The Stout Fiddler on New Bridge Street was until a few years ago called Joe Wilson's, but I am not sure if this was the original Adelaide). Being a publican did not suit Joe: "if aw drink with iv'rybody that asks us, aw's a drunken beast; if aw dinnet, aw's a surly beast". He became teetotal and began to write temperance songs.

He returned briefly to printing, then to the music-hall, but died at the age of 33.

Joe Wilson's name is not celebrated on Tyneside like it used to be. It may be that the dialect is becoming impenetrable. It may be that the subject-matter is too "homely". It would certainly be a great shame if songs of the pedigree of "Be Kind to Me Dowter", "The Lass That Lives Next Door" and "Through Drinking Bitter Beer" were not kept alive through performance. Time for a revival, I think. Here's one of my favourites, "Narvis Johnny":

Wor Johnny's se narvis, se narvis wi' drink,
He cannet eat owt, an' he's frightened te think,

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