James Anderson (1825 – 14 March 1899) was an English,

Tyneside Tyneside is a built-up area across the banks of the River Tyne in northern England. Residents of the area are commonly referred to as Geordies. The whole area is surrounded by the North East Green Belt. The population of Tyneside as published i ...

miner/songwriter of the late 19th century. He was quite famous locally at the time, and his most popular song is probably "Aw wish Pay Friday wad cum".

Details

Mr James Anderson was born in 1825 in

Earsdon Earsdon is a village in the borough of North Tyneside in the county of Tyne and Wear, England. It sits on the border of Northumberland, which it is historically part of, and is approximately two miles from Whitley Bay. The village had a populati ...

and followed his father into the coal mines. At one stage he was "lamp-man" at Elswick Colliery, a position which he held for 20 years. His songs won many prizes in the local competitions, such as the one held by John W Chater and those run by the Weekly Chronicle. He had much of his material published in '

Chater Chater may refer to: People *Arthur Reginald Chater (1896–1979), Royal Marines general *Dan Chater (1870–1959), British politician *David Chater (born 1953), British broadcast journalist *Elizabeth Chater (1910–2004), Canadian author of novel ...

's Tyneside Comic Annuals' and other publications. It would appear that at the time of his writings, James Anderson was as well known and popular as Joe Wilson, although his popularity has not endured anywhere near as much. His song "Aw wish Pay Friday wad cum" was awarded first prize in the Weekly Chronicle song competition of 1870, beating some 176 competitors including Joe Wilson's entry of "Wor Geordy's Local Hist'ry". After the publication of the song the author became known as 'Pay Friday Jim' John Fraser, the local printer, stationer, bookbinder, newsagent, writer and publisher (of, among other things, The Blyth & Tyneside Comic Almanack), published in 1898 a collection of James' Anderson's songs and poems entitled "Collection of Blyth and Tyneside Poems & Songs” James Anderson died after a long illness at his home in Cowpen Quay,

Blyth, Northumberland Blyth () is a town and civil parish in southeast Northumberland, England. It lies on the coast, to the south of the River Blyth and is approximately northeast of Newcastle upon Tyne. It has a population of about 37,000, as of 2011. The port o ...

, on 14 March 1899, he was 73.

Works

These include :- # Collection * Collection of Blyth and Tyneside Poems & Songs" written by James Anderson printed by J. Fraser John W Chater's Canny Newcassel Diary and Remembrancer * Miseries of man * Music * My little favourite Pink Flower * My Residence in Blyth * My Sweet Little Home by the Sea * Northumberland miners' strike, 1876 * Rural Retreat – (A) * Sally and Bobby, sung to the tune of Cappy's, the Dog * Sally and Sam * Smiling Face – (A) * Thor's queer folks noo o' days * Toast, On taking a friendly Glass of Beer – (A), awarded first prize in a competition. * Tortoise-shell tom cat * Town of Old Hexham – (The) * True Manhood * Walbottle Dene, sung to the tune of John Anderson, my Joe * Warm fireside (A) – appeared in John W Chater's Chater's Canny Newcassel Diary and Remembrancer 1872">Canny Newcassel Diary and Remembrancer * What did aw get married for?, sung to the tune of Green grows the rashes o * What is Love * Wor Bonny Pit Lad

References

External links

FARNE archives – cover of Collection of Blyth and Tyneside Poems & Songs

Allan’s Illustrated Edition of Tyneside songs and readings
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, James English male poets English male songwriters People from Newcastle upon Tyne (district) Musicians from Tyne and Wear 1825 births Geordie songwriters 1899 deaths

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