Harry Nelson (singer)
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”
Works
Harry Nelson made a few recordings right at the end of his career, which included “Hi, canny man” and “Our Jemmie” (or “Oh, hey ye seen wor Jimmie”), both of which songs are still popular in Tyneside folk clubs
Both these songs 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)
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 Neibors 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 | (Weel May) 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 |
Recordings
- Harry Nelson – sings “Hi, Canny Man” and “Our Jimmie” on the CD - Various Artists - Wor Nanny's A Mazer: Early Recordings Of Artists From The North East 1904-1933
Harry Nelson made his 3 records (6 sides) just before the outbreak of the Great War only months before his death. Therefore, the birth date of 1804 is much too early - he was performing right until the end.