James Anderson (Songwriter)

James Anderson (born 1825) was a Tyneside miner/songwriter of the late 19th century. He was quite famous locally at the time, and his most popular song is probably "Aw wish Pay Friday wad cum".

Mr James Anderson was born in 1825 in Earsdon and followed his father into the coal mines. At one stage he was "lamp-man" at Elswick Colliery, a position which he held for 20 years.

His songs won many prizes in the local competitions, such as the one held by John W Chater and those run by the Weekly Chronicle. He had much of his material published in 'Chater's Tyneside Comic Annuals' and other publications.

It would appear that at the time of his writings, James Anderson was as well known and popular as Joe Wilson, although his popularity has not endured anywhere near as much.

His song "Aw wish Pay Friday wad cum" was awarded first prize in the Weekly Chronicle song competition of 1870, beating some 176 competitors including Joe Wilson's entry of "Wor Geordy's Local Hist'ry". After the publication of the song the author became known as 'Pay Friday Jim'

John Fraser, the local printer, stationer, bookbinder, newsagent, writer and publisher (of, among other things, The Blyth & Tyneside Comic Almanack), published in 1898 a collection of James' Anderson's songs and poems entitled "Collection of Blyth and Tyneside Poems & Songs”

These include :-

Geordie dialect words
John W Chater
Chater's Canny Newcassel Diary and Remembrancer 1872

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