William Oliver (songwriter)

William Oliver (5 February 1800 – 29 October 1848) was a Tyneside poet, singer and songwriter from Newcastle upon Tyne. Possibly his best known work is the song "Newcassel Props", an example of Geordie dialect.

Early life

He was born in The Side, near the Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne. His father was a cheesemonger and had his own business. William became a draper and hatter, working for a Mr Bowes of The Bridge End, Gateshead, 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 ca. 1830 and joined his brother Timothy in his grocery shop situated at the corner of Cloth Market and High Bridge, and there he stayed until his death.

Later life

He was very popular as both singer and songwriter, his songs were extremely popular in their day, but are now less popular, and less well-known. This is possibly due to them being written about real people and real events which are no longer known to, and have no relevance in today's society.

He was politically motivated, sympathizing with the protestors for reforms, and a keen supporter of, the 1832 Reform Bill.

His 1829 collection of songs^[1] was dedicated to Robert Bill, Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Oliver was 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). He also attended many of the social gatherings with his fellow businessmen and tradesmen after business hours.

William Oliver, like his brother Timothy, was unmarried. He died 29 October 1848 and was buried in Westgate Hill General Cemetery,^[2] Arthur's Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Works

His works include:

"The Bonassus" – the tale of a buffalo in a wild animal show; to the tune of "Jemmy Joneson's Whurry"
"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"
"Newcassel Props" – 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

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