Poetical Works of Richard Watson: With a Brief Sketch of the Author

Richard Watson was known as the 'Bard of Teesdale', famous in the 19th century for his many poems honoring the beauty and culture of Teesdale in northeastern England.

Born in the town of Middleton, from youth Watson felt solidarity with his fellow man working in the region. Watson began work in the mines while still a child; he was just ten years old when his father tragically died following a period of illness. Richard spent much of his life in poverty, but was helped along by his poems, which he wrote and recited at public meetings for many years. It wasn't until he was well into maturity that this anthology was published; by then, he had become somewhat of a local celebrity, celebrated for chronicling life in Teesdale.

Some of the poems are written as conversations in the local northeast England dialect, recreating the local's pronunciation of words. Others celebrate the natural beauty of the area, speaking of the rolling fields, streams and wooded areas with beauty and affection. Still others describe hunting and other adventurous capers, or muse nostalgically about life in rural England. Tragically, Richard's life was cut short at the age of fifty-eight after he suffered a fatal injury at work.

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Poetical Works of Richard Watson: With a Brief Sketch of the Author

Richard Watson was known as the 'Bard of Teesdale', famous in the 19th century for his many poems honoring the beauty and culture of Teesdale in northeastern England.

Born in the town of Middleton, from youth Watson felt solidarity with his fellow man working in the region. Watson began work in the mines while still a child; he was just ten years old when his father tragically died following a period of illness. Richard spent much of his life in poverty, but was helped along by his poems, which he wrote and recited at public meetings for many years. It wasn't until he was well into maturity that this anthology was published; by then, he had become somewhat of a local celebrity, celebrated for chronicling life in Teesdale.

Some of the poems are written as conversations in the local northeast England dialect, recreating the local's pronunciation of words. Others celebrate the natural beauty of the area, speaking of the rolling fields, streams and wooded areas with beauty and affection. Still others describe hunting and other adventurous capers, or muse nostalgically about life in rural England. Tragically, Richard's life was cut short at the age of fifty-eight after he suffered a fatal injury at work.

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Poetical Works of Richard Watson: With a Brief Sketch of the Author

Poetical Works of Richard Watson: With a Brief Sketch of the Author

by Richard Watson
Poetical Works of Richard Watson: With a Brief Sketch of the Author

Poetical Works of Richard Watson: With a Brief Sketch of the Author

by Richard Watson

Overview

Richard Watson was known as the 'Bard of Teesdale', famous in the 19th century for his many poems honoring the beauty and culture of Teesdale in northeastern England.

Born in the town of Middleton, from youth Watson felt solidarity with his fellow man working in the region. Watson began work in the mines while still a child; he was just ten years old when his father tragically died following a period of illness. Richard spent much of his life in poverty, but was helped along by his poems, which he wrote and recited at public meetings for many years. It wasn't until he was well into maturity that this anthology was published; by then, he had become somewhat of a local celebrity, celebrated for chronicling life in Teesdale.

Some of the poems are written as conversations in the local northeast England dialect, recreating the local's pronunciation of words. Others celebrate the natural beauty of the area, speaking of the rolling fields, streams and wooded areas with beauty and affection. Still others describe hunting and other adventurous capers, or muse nostalgically about life in rural England. Tragically, Richard's life was cut short at the age of fifty-eight after he suffered a fatal injury at work.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781789874785
Publisher: Pantianos Classics
Publication date: 01/01/1900
Pages: 104
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.25(d)

Read an Excerpt


GIB'S AUD MEAR. (Local Dialect.) This was a mare belonging to Gib T n, an ore carrier, who had had it upwards of twenty-two years, having brought it up from a foal. , A better nag was never yoked; but being feeble by age and hard work it broke down, while carrying coals to Sharnberry mine. The owner loosed it from the cart, and left it lying, and went on his way. Some miners returning from their work, seeing it in such a predicament, raised it from the ground, and conveyed it to Mr. A n's, Middle End, who, thinking it was with foal, and that rest and good treatment would soon revive it, begged it of the owner; but his judgment proving to be wrong, he grew tired of keeping an animal which could never be of any use to him. and wanted Gib to pay for its keep, which he refused to do, on the plea that it was a gift. An altercation took place, and a great deal of ill-feeling was displayed on both sides. The poet, therefore, composed this poem, as he was going to work one fine morning. Upon yan clear September morn, Az folk were gether'n in thir corn ;— 'Twas five o'clock, or varra near, Az aw unto mie wark did steer; Mie wallet owre mie shoulder flung, At, a brisk pace aw jogged along ; Aw knew for wark it was quite soon, Sae 'neath a wall aw sat ma down, By a plantation et's weel kenn'd, Near Al -—n's, at Middle End. While aw was sitting on the ground, A w heard a strange, unearthly sound ; Aw luk'd around, aw thaught it queer, An' spi'd it was Gib T n's auld mear. Yis, thar it stood—'twas nae mistak— An' like a human being spak ; Aw rubb'd mie e'en, for it did seem It could be naught else but a dream, But 'twasn't lang before I knew Et what aw saw and hear'd wastrue. "Young man," it said, "you needn't wonder, For it is real, it is nae blunder ;...

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