A Ukulele Songbook of Songs and Tunes from the North East

Probably the first book of songs and tunes from the North East arranged especially for the ukulele

Our “Garland of Songs and Tunes from the North East” follows a proud tradition of songbooks produced in the region. This stretches back to 1784, when Sir Cuthbert Sharp edited his “Bishoprick Garland”, through to 1891, when Thomas Allan edited his comprehensive “Allan’s Illustrated Edition of Tyneside Songs and Readings” containing 400 songs and the lives (and autographs) of local song writers. Between these two songbooks there were nearly 50 other collections published.

So, what is so special about this songbook? To start with, it is the first compilation of songs from the North East arranged for the ukulele. We have tried to give the strummer of all levels the tools to learn and play a song they may never have heard before and then take it as far as they want. This explained on page 5 in “Using the Songbook”.

Also, unusually for a ukulele songbook, we have included a couple of tunes more usually played on the Northumbrian smallpipes – “Jamie Allan” and “Herd on the Hill”. These have been arranged for both melody and chords to add as something a bit different in your exploration of North East music.

We have chosen two dozen songs and tunes to reflect the different parts of the region with Durham and Northumberland mining songs together with the wealth of Tyneside songs about the river and the characters who lived on it. We have taken those songs people know and love such as Geordie Ridley’s “Blaydon Races” and Joe Wilson’s “Keep your feet still Geordie hinny” whilst trying to introduce some less well-known pieces such as the Sunderland based, “The Legend of Spottee” and Tommy Armstrong’s “The Sheel Raa Flud”

You may find some of the sound clips interesting. We wanted to consistently use You Tube for you to hear the songs and tunes but there was not always a straight rendition to hand. As such you will find Brian Ferry singing “The Lambton Worm” and New England fiddler Lissa Schneckenburger playing “Jamie Allan”. We have mostly managed to keep to local performers whether this be professionals such as Billy Mitchell or the High Level Ranters or local groups like the Spindlestones.We have chosen two dozen songs and tunes to reflect the different parts of the region with Durham and Northumberland mining songs together with the wealth of Tyneside songs about the river and the characters who lived on it. We have taken those songs people know and love such as Geordie Ridley’s “Blaydon Races” and Joe Wilson’s “Keep your feet still Geordie hinny” whilst trying to introduce some less well-known pieces such as the Sunderland based, “The Legend of Spottee” and Tommy Armstrong’s “The Sheel Raa Flud”You may find some of the sound clips interesting. We wanted to consistently use You Tube for you to hear the songs and tunes but there was not always a straight rendition to hand. As such you will find Brian Ferry singing “The Lambton Worm” and New England fiddler Lissa Schneckenburger playing “Jamie Allan”. We have mostly managed to keep to local performers whether this be professionals such as Billy Mitchell or the High Level Ranters or local groups like the Spindlestones.

We cannot sing the songs without hearing the stories. So many of the North East songs tell of the pressures of everyday life, particularly the brutal conditions of mining and working on the river. Others are about local characters whether they be a woman who sells baked clay blocks to clean doorsteps, Cushie Butterfield, or the member of Parliament for Durham, Bobby Shafto. The people who wrote the songs were the pop stars of their days with the luckiest, such as Joe Wilson, working the many music halls, or those less fortunate, such as Blind Willie Purvis, playing in riverside public houses. We have tried to provide some of the stories of the writers of the songs in this collection.

The book is crammed full, take what you want, but whatever you do, enjoy yourself.

How to get your copy

Simply send an email to lowfellukes@outlook.com with your order details and address and we will send you an invoice with our bank details. Let us know when you have made a bank transfer and your book/s will be posted straight away.

If you are local to Gateshead we are happy to deliver and accept cash.

Sorry we are not a commercial enterprise and our buying system is a bit clunky but it will be worth it…

(The print is crisp and lovely unlike this rather fuzzy snapshot)