Steeple Jack
Steeple Jack
Jerry Kearns Vocal
The very last Friday that ever ther’ wur
A trap with a chap in drove up to eaur dur;
It wur loaded wi’ loaves till no more it cud tak’,
Un th’ chap on the box wur a brave “Steeple Jack”.
We goo deawn a pit un he goes up a spire,
Both hazardous jobs as a man can desire;
We’re ever in danger until we get back,
Un so is the chap ut they co’ “Steeple Jack”.
Aw think that accounts for his comin’ so soon
Wi’ a load o’ loaves warm and noice from the oo’n,
He cudno’ aboide that poor colliers lack,
So deawn wi’ his loaves coom this brave “Steeple Jack”.
Un ther’ wur some jeigh when we seed what he had,
For th’ childer wer scroikin’ “a butter cake dad”,
Un some o’ those loaves disappeared in a crack.
While blessin’s wur sheawered on eaur brave “Steeple Jack”.
Un that wur not o’ for he browt picks un shoes,
That if the’re a job we shud ha’ tools to use;
So aw thowt to reward him this song aw wud mak’.
Un tell o’ aw know of this brave “Steeple Jack”.
Jerry Kearns Vocal
The very last Friday that ever ther’ wur
A trap with a chap in drove up to eaur dur;
It wur loaded wi’ loaves till no more it cud tak’,
Un th’ chap on the box wur a brave “Steeple Jack”.
We goo deawn a pit un he goes up a spire,
Both hazardous jobs as a man can desire;
We’re ever in danger until we get back,
Un so is the chap ut they co’ “Steeple Jack”.
Aw think that accounts for his comin’ so soon
Wi’ a load o’ loaves warm and noice from the oo’n,
He cudno’ aboide that poor colliers lack,
So deawn wi’ his loaves coom this brave “Steeple Jack”.
Un ther’ wur some jeigh when we seed what he had,
For th’ childer wer scroikin’ “a butter cake dad”,
Un some o’ those loaves disappeared in a crack.
While blessin’s wur sheawered on eaur brave “Steeple Jack”.
Un that wur not o’ for he browt picks un shoes,
That if the’re a job we shud ha’ tools to use;
So aw thowt to reward him this song aw wud mak’.
Un tell o’ aw know of this brave “Steeple Jack”.
Steeple Jack
Perhaps this song is best understood in the light of this news item in the OLDHAM OPERATIVE Friday, December 5th, 1884:
‘Last Friday Mr. Joseph Ball, of York Castle, Oldham, took a load of 4-lb loaves to Moston which he distributed among the drowned – out colliers. He also purchased new sets of tools for those who had lost their old tools in the mine.’
Following this in the paper is a poem, Steeple Jack, dedicated to Joseph Ball. The tune was added by Gerry.
Perhaps this song is best understood in the light of this news item in the OLDHAM OPERATIVE Friday, December 5th, 1884:
‘Last Friday Mr. Joseph Ball, of York Castle, Oldham, took a load of 4-lb loaves to Moston which he distributed among the drowned – out colliers. He also purchased new sets of tools for those who had lost their old tools in the mine.’
Following this in the paper is a poem, Steeple Jack, dedicated to Joseph Ball. The tune was added by Gerry.
First published by TOPIC Records 1979
That Lancashire Band LP 12TS399stereo
The Oldham Tinkers
First published by TOPIC Records 1979 by John Brierley, Cargo Recording Studio, Rochdale, April 1979. Notes by Larry Kearns / Sleeve illustration and design by John Atkinson
Produced by Tony Russell
Re-released on C.D. by Pier Records in 2000 under licence from Topic Records Ltd, England.
The C.D. The Oldham Tinkers, ‘That Lancashire Band’ PIERCD 504
The classic Lancashire folk album from 1979, available for the first time on CD, with three bonus tracks, full song notes and a sleeve note introduction from B.B.C. presenter Andy Kershaw
That Lancashire Band LP 12TS399stereo
The Oldham Tinkers
First published by TOPIC Records 1979 by John Brierley, Cargo Recording Studio, Rochdale, April 1979. Notes by Larry Kearns / Sleeve illustration and design by John Atkinson
Produced by Tony Russell
Re-released on C.D. by Pier Records in 2000 under licence from Topic Records Ltd, England.
The C.D. The Oldham Tinkers, ‘That Lancashire Band’ PIERCD 504
The classic Lancashire folk album from 1979, available for the first time on CD, with three bonus tracks, full song notes and a sleeve note introduction from B.B.C. presenter Andy Kershaw