"Hi, canny man hoy a ha'penny oot" | |
---|---|
Song by Harry Nelson | |
Language | English (Geordie) |
Written | c. 1862 |
Published | 1862 |
Songwriter(s) | Harry Nelson |
"Hi, canny man hoy a ha'penny oot" is a famous Geordie folk song written in the 19th century by Harry Nelson, in a style deriving from music hall. Nelson was a well-known Geordie singer/comedian in the late 19th/early 20th century and is credited with writing the song.
The song is based on the old Geordie tradition, which was still a common occurrence in the 1950s, and still (very occasionally) takes place today. As the bride and groom were leaving the church, they would throw coppers to the boys and girls gathered around outside. This would be to calls from the youngsters of "Hoy oot" or similar. These words were eventually written into the song – as "Hi, canny man hoy a ha'penny oot, Ye'll see some fun thor is ne doot, Where ivvor Aa gan ye'll heor them shoot, Hi, canny man, hoy a ha'penny oot."
The way the folks aall laugh at me, it's nearly drove me crazy,
If Aa put on me Sunday claes at neet when Aa gan oot,
The folks aroond the neyborhood is sure to start an' shoot.
Chorus:
Hi, canny man, hoy a ha'penny oot,
Ye'll see some fun thor is ne doot,
Where ivvor Aa gan ye'll heor them shoot,
Hi, canny man, hoy a ha'penny oot.
Once Aa went te see the play - Aa made the folks aall glower,
A chep says that's "Aad Monkey Nuts", 'twas then Aa said "Give ower",
Aa teuk a front seat in the staals, commenced to leuk aboot,
When ivorybody in the place, at once began te shoot.
Chorus:
Once Aa thought that Aa'd get wed - née langer Aa wad tarry,
Aa bowt the ring, so off Aa went, ma single life te "barry",
The Parson got the sarvice ower, then Aa began te "laff",
When coming oot th' church agyen, the folks began te chaff,
SPOKEN:- Chaff, Aa think they did, an' shoot at the top o' thor voices -
Chorus:In the early 19th century, as today, there were cheap books and magazines.
Many of these "chapbooks" were on poor quality paper to a poor standard and with poor quality print. The works were copied with no thoughts of copyright, and the work required very little proof-reading, and what was done was not required to a high standard. Consequently, the dialect words of songs varied between editions.
This particular song shows several variations between the various published versions, some very minor, mainly in the spelling of the words, and sometimes variations within the same edition. Some of the most common are listed below:
Generally
all and aall
iverybody and ivorybody
te and to
than and then
the and th'
tuek and teuk
The same artist also recorded "Our Jennie", both later in his career, and both have survived and are available on the CD "Various Artists - Wor Nanny's A Mazer: Early Recordings Of Artists From The North East 1904-1933" (on Phonograph, PHCD2K1) [1] The full list of tracks on this CD are as follows:
order | title | artist |
---|---|---|
1 | Wor Nanny's A Mazer | C. Ernest Catcheside Warrington |
2 | Blaydon Races | J.C. Scatter |
3 | Alpine Echoes | Harton Colliery Band |
4 | Geordie Haad The Bairn | Jamieson Dodds |
5 | Cushy Butterfield | C. Ernest Catcheside Warrington |
6 | Hi, canny man | Harry Nelson |
7 | The Neighbors Doon Belaa | Jamieson Dodds |
8 | Tyneside Policeman | J.C. Scatter |
9 | The Cliffs Of Old Tynemouth | C. Ernest Catcheside Warrington |
10 | Our Jemmie (with patter) | Harry Nelson |
11 | Johnson and High Level Hornpipe | Jas. Brown |
12 | Keep Your Feet Still Geordie Hinny | Dewey Gibson |
13 | Last Night | C. Ernest Catcheside Warrington |
14 | Adam Buckam O!, Wrap Up | Ernest J. Potts |
15 | Whistling Geordie | Jimmy James |
16 | The Keel Row | Anthony Charlton |
17 | Hexham Races (Northumbrian Smallpipes) | Felton Lonnin |
18 | Albert Before The Means Test Committee Parts 1 & 2 | Albert Burdon & Company |
Geordie is a nickname for a person from the Tyneside area of North East England, and the dialect used by its inhabitants, also known in linguistics as Tyneside English or Newcastle English. There are different definitions of what constitutes a Geordie. The term is used and has been historically used to refer to the people of the North East. A Geordie can also specifically be a native of Tyneside and the surrounding areas. Not everyone from the North East of England identifies as a Geordie.
"Blaydon Races" is a Geordie folk song written in the 19th century by Geordie Ridley, in a style deriving from music hall. It is frequently sung by supporters of Newcastle United Football Club and Newcastle Falcons rugby club. Blaydon is a small town in Gateshead, situated about 4 miles (6.4 km) from Newcastle upon Tyne, in North East England. The race used to take place on the Stella Haugh 1 mile (1.6 km) west of Blaydon. Stella South Power Station was built on the site of the track in the early 1950s, after the races had stopped taking place in 1916.
The Northumbrian dialect refers to any of several English language varieties spoken in the historic English region of Northumbria, which includes most of present-day North East England. This may include such varieties as:
The Pitman's Courtship is a famous Geordie folk song written in the 19th century by William Mitford, in a style deriving from music hall. This piece takes a humorous look at the courtship of a Pitman and his lass where the discussion forms the proposal of marriage and the couple's plans for a life together. This song was generally considered to be one of the region's finest 'traditional' songs, one of only a handful of Tyneside songs to be appreciated outside the region in its day.
Wor Nanny's a mazer is a famous Geordie folk song written in the 19th century by Thomas “Tommy” Armstrong, in a style deriving from music hall. It is regarded by many as one of the classics.
"Wor Peg's Trip te Tynemouth" is a Geordie folk song written in the 19th century by Joe Wilson, in a style deriving from music hall.
Harry Nelson (1804-????) was a Newcastle upon Tyne concert hall singer and comedian of the late 19th/early 20th century. He is credited with writing "Hi, canny man hoy a ha'penny oot"
Asstrilly's Goold Fields in Geordie dialect translates as "Australia’s Gold Fields" and sub-titled "Tommy Carr's Letter", is a Geordie folk song written in the 19th century by Edward "Ned" Corvan, in a style deriving from music hall.
"The Collier’s Rant" is a traditional Geordie folk song written many years ago, the writer is unknown. It is one of the oldest mining songs in existence. It was already popular, and had been for how long we do not know, when Joseph Ritson published it in his Northumbrian Garland in 1793. It is still a very popular piece by choirs throughout the North East of England.
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.
"Geordy Black", also known as "Geordie Black" and "I'm Going Down the Hill" is a 19th-century Geordie folk song by Rowland "Rowley" Harrison, in a style deriving from music hall.
Newcassel Props is a famous Geordie folk song written in the 19th century by William Oliver, in a style deriving from music hall.
The Pitman's Revenge is a traditional Geordie folk song, written circa 1804, by George Cameron in the Geordie dialect. The song is about the threat of invasion posed by Napoleon Bonaparte.
The Skipper’s Dream is a Geordie folk song written in the 19th century by T Moor, in a style deriving from music hall.
John Gair "Jack" Robson was an English schoolmaster, musician and songwriter. Many of his 40-plus songs are in Geordie dialect. His most famous song must be "Whereivvor ye gan ye’re sure te find a Geordie".
The Puddens That Me Mother Used Te Myek is a Geordie folk song written in the 20th century by John Gair “Jack” Robson, in light hearted style. It is sometimes referred to by its alternative title of “Pot Pies and Puddens”
James Anderson was a Tyneside 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".
The Cullercoats Fish Lass Is a folk song, written by Edward Corvan, originally printed as a broadside in 1862 and collated in Allan's Illustrated Edition of Tyneside Songs and Readings in 1891.