Tyneside Poets

Tyneside Poets

The Tyneside poets are documented in Allan’s "Tyneside Song, and Rhymes of the Northern Bards." Among them are many printers and other city artisans, and a very strong contingent of mineworkers, of whom Joseph Skipsey is the best known. The output of song rather than other kinds of verse is striking, perhaps because of its sociability, and the many outlets available for song (in "free and easies," public houses, clubs, theatres and music halls, and perhaps also because the difficulties in finding the materials, space and time to write longhand—eloquently described by Skipsey). Songs can far more easily be composed orally and are generally short. There were some traditions of competitive song and verse writing among Tyneside coalminers, reflected in the work of poets like Robert Elliott.