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A Laycock poem published as a broadsheet.
Courtesy of Blackpool Central Library. |
The "Cotton
Famine" (1861-64) caused massive unemployment, particularly in the areas of
Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge and Dunkinfield, three towns whose industry
was almost entirely dependent on cotton. By November 1862, over 40% of the
population of the Ashton Poor Law Union (which included Stalybridge) were
receiving relief.
Samuel Laycock was one of the many cotton workers laid
off by the famine. In common with others of the unemployed, he turned to
schemes to make extra money. He found there was a market for his
poems, which he published as "Lancashire Lyrics" in broadsheet form (i.e.
single sheets at a penny a time).
They proved popular and many thousands were sold, some also being set to
music.
Laycock's poems provide a valuable record of
working-class life in the Lancashire cotton towns during the second half
of the 19th century. They illustrate the domestic problems and
misery caused by hard times and express an attitude that probably
prevailed among the respectable working-class of that age, that men should
find an honourable way of standing up to their hardships and not be
reduced to complaining about their suffering.
As is evident from the following titles, Laycock
continued to publish broadsheet poems for the remainder of his life.
This collection of broadsheets, which are reproduced by courtesy of
Tameside
Local History and
Archives, and Blackpool
Central Library, relate mainly to Laycock's later years spent in the
seaside resort of Blackpool on the Lancashire ("Fylde") coast. Of
this group of poems, several advertise the joys to be had at Blackpool
while others address more serious matters, such
as the distress caused by strong drink and the need for 'temperance.'
Laycock's politics were staunchly Liberal—although had he lived into the 20th
Century he might well have supported the Labour Party—and he records a couple of delightful set-to's with the Tory opposition,
the "Primrose Dames" in particular (Gerald
Massey entertained a similar abhorrence—see his
Primrose Dame). Laycock's strongly-held low
church Christian beliefs are plainly evident in much of his writing.
――――♦――――
(Glossary of Lancashire dialect)
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An
Owd Chum's Address to Poverty: perhaps the subject of Laycock's
musing was more of a constant companion than an 'owd chum'.....
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We'n bin owd chums for mony a day.
We'n often differed when we'n met,
But never had a partin' yet. |
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Th' Mechanics o' Seturday Neet: although printed in Blackpool,
this poem probably harks back to Laycock's time as Librarian and
Hall-keeper at the Stalybridge Mechanics' Institute, a centre of adult
learning and social activities for those who didn't find comfort in the
many alehouses and music halls at that time ('Saturday' is spelled
both 'Seturday' and 'Setterday' in the original).
-
Joe
Turtledove's Visit to Blackpool: to be sung to the tune of Arthur
Lloyd's music hall hit, "Not for Joseph!"
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Have yo' seen the Bazaar?: Laycock wrote this poem to publicise a
'church bazaar' (i.e. a "bring and buy" or "jumble" sale) to help raise
money to build the local parson a house adjacent to his chapel.....
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"We've a parson i' Blackpool we think a bit on,
So we've gone an' we've built him a heawse;
An' its th' next dur to th' chapel, quite handy yo see,
An' neaw he's as 'snug as a meawse.'
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"It's awkard to
live a long way fro' one's wark,
But this bit o' th' trouble we've met
By buildin' this heawse, so that neaw do yo' see,
Th' parson noather gets tired nor wet" |
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The
Blackpool Fete: much in the character of a "Come to Blackpool"
holiday poster.
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The Lay of "Great Goliath"; sung in Blackpool 1871, during the
School Board Contest...
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And yet we lost the battle,
Our opponents proved too strong;
It war RIGHT in hostile
conflict
With BIOGOTRY and
WRONG. |
— a few years yet to run before the advent
of compulsory primary and secondary education for all.
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Fylde Sunbeam!: "BRO. SAML. LAYCOCK" read this temperance poem at
a meeting of the Good Templars held at Poulton, February 4th, 1874.
History repeats itself, for in recent years the U.K. government has
repeatedly stated its concerns over the damage being caused by alcohol (while
at the same time removing restrictions on the opening hours of clubs and
public houses!), particularly "binge drinking" by young
people.
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Th' Mother an' Her Childer!: a poem
read by Laycock at a temperance meeting at Fleetwood, April 24th, 1874.
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Temperance Entertainment:
Laycock again preaching against the evils of strong drink and the brewery
industry ("Great brewers, we find, are increasing their lands, And then,
in mock piety, cleanse their foul hands"), a subject that remains
topical in the present age! The poem was read at the Primitive
Methodist Schoolroom, Blackpool, Oct. 23rd, 1877.
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God Bless yo', Owd Nayburs: Laycock in sombre mood....
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Th' owd Reaper keeps slashin' away wi' his scythe,
Furst o' one hand and then on the other,
Neaw some darlin' pet lamb's rudely hurried away,
Then some silver-haired sister or brother....
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....must surely have dampened what
enthusiasm his agčd listeners had for this event — read at the OLD
FOLKS' TEA MEETING
in the BOROUGH BAZAAR, BLACKPOOL,
January 3rd, 1878.
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Ode
to the Ocean: a plain English edition of Laycock's ROWL AWAY,
THEAW GRAND OWD OCEAN published in the Blackpool Times, June
16th, 1880.
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A Confession of Faith: here Laycock states his religious
beliefs....and other people's views of them ("...some of my neighbours
seems distant and cold, On account of the views and opinions I hold....")
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Verses to be Sung: at the Dedication of the Fielden Free Library
and Public Hall, Fleetwood, Sept. 10th, 1887. For a short time
during 1867, Laycock had been Curator of the Fielden's predecessor, the
Whitworth Institute.
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A
Word to the Parsons: and with particular regard to Laycock's bźte
noir, Mr. Wainwright,
an adversary who features in others of these poems....
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Well,
he may be quite right in this matter;
That the language was strong, I admit,
But the sarcasm hurled at young Wainwright
Was meant as a very hard hit. |
Lines sent to the Editor of an
unidentified newspaper, date unknown.
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Th' Vicar's Son an' th' Grand Owd
Mon (1890): sold at the
"Times" Office, Church Street, Blackpool. 25 Copies 6d. (post free 7d.);
100 Copies 1/6 (post free 1/9).
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The Primrose Dames at Their Durty
Games (1891): a contribution from Laycock to the Liberal Party's cause,
of which he was a staunch supporter. He is here firing a broadside at
the local (Tory) 'Primrose Dames' during some long-forgotten political set to.
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"Come to Blackpool!": a Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
advertisement, first published in the "Manchester Evening News,"
February 19th. 1908.
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