Song about the length of time taken to complete proposed town changes. A complaint still common today! Dramatic changes had been taking place to the geography of Newcastle city centre for most of the nineteenth century. From the demolition of restricting medieval gates and walls at the start of the century to the changes implemented by Richard Grainger and John Dobson, by the time this song was written Newcastle had been transformed - not always to the approval of its inhabitants!
This collection comprises a selection of songs taken from the Keelmin's comic annewal, a collection of local facts, tales, songs and other ephemera. The book was published by local printer J.W. Chater and forms part of a series of similar annuals and almanacs published by the same printer. A large majority of the songs were written especially for the publication, many as competition pieces which were judged by Chater. The various annuals contain contributions from many well known local composers such as Joe Wilson and would have been popular in their day. The books are now held at Beamish Museum.
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