William Oliver (5 February 1800 29 October 1848) was a

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 ...

poet, singer and songwriter from

Newcastle upon Tyne Newcastle upon Tyne ( RP: , ), or simply Newcastle, is a city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England. The city is located on the River Tyne's northern bank and forms the largest part of the Tyneside built-up area. Newcastle is ...

. He is arguably best known for the song "

Newcassel Props Newcassel Props is a famous Geordie folk song written in the 19th century by William Oliver, in a style deriving from music hall. This song pays homage to the passing of several local characters, with a small part dedicated to those still l ...

", an example of Geordie dialect.

Early life

Oliver was born in The Side, near the

Quayside The Quayside is an area along the banks (quay) of the River Tyne in Newcastle upon Tyne (the north bank) and Gateshead (south bank) in Tyne and Wear, North East England, United Kingdom. History The area was once an industrial area and busy com ...

, Newcastle upon Tyne. His father was a cheesemonger and had his own business.

Career

Oliver became a draper and hatter, working for a Mr Bowes of The Bridge End,

Gateshead Gateshead () is a large town in northern England. It is on the River Tyne's southern bank, opposite Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle to which it is joined by seven bridges. The town contains the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Millennium Bridge, Sage ...

, and staying there for many years. For a short while, he ran his own business as a hatter, but this was unsuccessful. He eventually left the business around 1830 and joined his brother Timothy working in his grocery shop situated at the corner of Cloth Market and High Bridge, and there he stayed until his death.

Music

Oliver was popular as both singer and songwriter in his time. His 1829 collection of songs was dedicated to Robert Bill, Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Personal life

He was politically motivated, sympathized with the protestors for reforms, and was a keen supporter of the 1832 Reform Bill. Oliver was also a member of several of the reformist societies, such as Sons of Apollo, Stars of Friendship, and the Corinthian Society (that held its meetings at the Blue Posts, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle upon Tyne). William Oliver, like his brother Timothy, was unmarried. He died 29 or 30 October 1848 aged 48, and was buried in Westgate Hill General Cemetery,

Arthur's Hill Arthur's Hill is a district of Newcastle upon Tyne. It lies approximately 1 mile west of Newcastle City Centre. It is bordered by Fenham to the west, Elswick to the south, and Spital Tongues to the north west. It gives name to a Newcastle City ...

, Newcastle upon Tyne. The ''Newcastle Courant'' described him as "much respected".

Works

His works include: * "The Bonassus" – the tale of a buffalo in a wild animal show; to the tune of "

Jemmy Joneson's Whurry Jemmy Joneson's Whurry is a traditional Geordie folk song in Geordie dialect written circa 1815, by Thomas Thompson, in a style deriving from music hall. This song appears to be the last one Thomas Thompson wrote, and the earliest record ...

" * "The Clock Face" to the tune "Bold Dragoon" * "England Awake" – a political song * "The Lament" to the tune "The Bold Dragoon" * "The New Markets" – to the tune "Canny Newcassel" * "

" – in which we remember the passing of local characters, with a small part dedicated to those still living; this is considered by many to be one of the best of the old Tyneside songs * "Newcastle Hackney Coaches" – to the tune "The Bold Dragoon" * "The Newcastle Millers" – about the great prize fight of October 1824 in which Jim Wallace defeated Tom Dunn for a purse of 40 sovereigns; to the tune "The Bold Dragoon" * "Shields Chain Bridge" * "Tim Tunbelly" – to the tune "Canny Newcassel" * "To the Mechanics Institute of Newcastle upon Tyne" * "Tom Carr and Waller Watson" (or "Tom and Jerry at Home") – to the tune "Bold Dragoon"

References

External links

Allan's Illustrated Edition of Tyneside Songs and Readings &c.1891
(pp.228–234: Section on William Oliver, including some of his lyrics)
Farne folk archives

Songs of the Tyne
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oliver, William 1800 births 1848 deaths English male singer-songwriters English singer-songwriters Geordie songwriters Musicians from Newcastle upon Tyne People from Gateshead Musicians from Tyne and Wear Writers from Tyne and Wear 19th-century composers 19th-century English writers 19th-century poets 19th-century British male singers 19th-century English poets 19th-century English musicians 19th-century English male writers