William Purvis, probably better known as "Blind Willie" (1752 – 20 July 1832), was a Tyneside concert hall song writer and performer in England at the end of the 18th and start of the 19th century. His most famous song is "Broom Buzzems". He became known later as the "ancient laureate of the Tyne" and was remembered in the songs of Robert Gilchrist (1797–1844) and Thomas Thompson (1773–1816).[1]
William Purvis was the son of John Purvis, a waterman, and Margaret Purvis (who died in All Saints Poorhouse aged over 100). William was born early in the year of 1752 in Newcastle, and baptised at All Saints' Church on 16 February 1752. He was either blind from birth, or very shortly after, although he often made comments from which the onlooker would think he could see. Very rarely did he perform in the street, preferring to perform in ale houses, in which he would depend on the charity of the public, but as he seemed to bring trade and the public appeared to like his ditties this seemed an amicable arrangement. He was apparently hatless in all weathers and to most of the locals and to his clientele he was just "Blind Willie".
Later lifeEdit
William Purvis was an inhabitant of the All Saints Poorhouse but wandered around much of the town, distinguishing every street, alley, house, or shop with astonishing exactness. Even when a tenancies changed, he soon discovered the name of the new tenant, and would, call it out the next time he passed. He was a great favourite of the local populace and few would pass him by in the street without recognition and a degree of sympathy. He died on 20 July 1832 at the age of 80.[2]
WorksEdit
His favourite appeared to be "Buy Broom Buzzems" or "Broom Besoms" which some said he composed, although others disputed this fact. However, he made it his own, and added and removed extra simple verses to suit himself (and his audience)
NotesEdit
Much of the information on Blind Willie comes from the book Northumbrian Minstrelsy.[3] This book, edited by J. Collingwood Bruce and John Stokoe, is a collection of ballads, melodies and small-pipe tunes of Northumbria. It was first published by the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1882 and contains notes of the songs and tunes.
This book quotes:
This eccentric character never enjoyed the faculty of sight, and many still living remember the sonsy, contented, and sightless face of Willie as he trudged the streets without a covering on his head. Several attempts were made by presenting him with a hat to induce him to wear one; but after having borne the infliction for a day or two, it was thrown aside, and the 'Minstrel', as he was called, appeared again uncovered, preferring the exposure of his hoary but well-thatched pate to the pelting of the pitiless storm. Blind Willie was perfectly acquainted with all the streets, lanes, and chares of his native town, and made his way everywhere without a guide, only using a long stick. His happy, contented nature made him a universal favourite with all ranks of society; and he had his regular places of call, where he was always welcome and duly served. At the inns and public houses of the town Blind Willie's presence in the taproom was a sure attraction, and his voice and fiddle in harmony, singing some quaint local ditty, gave never failing delight to his appreciative audiences.
Other references appear in the Newcastle Monthly Chronicle and an edition of Volume 2 (pages 517 and 518) of 1888[4][5]
This gives an interesting description of Blind Willie as:
He (Willie) had his regular houses of call, where he was always welcome, and duly served. Thus he used to drop in on his rounds at Messrs. Clapham & Gilpin's chemist's shop, first in Silver Street, and afterwards in Pilgrim Street, for the purpose of getting a dole of Spanish juice, which was never denied him. His invariable address was,
"Hinny, doctor, gie us a bit o' Spanish! " uttered in the confident tones of a simple, guileless boy; and "God blish the king – God blish the King ; never shaed him – never sheed him; poor shoul – poor shoul!" was his regular form of thanksgiving.
There are mentions in two other articles in this same publication on Pages 80 and 517.[5]
An article on page 353 and 354 of the Monthly Chronicle of 1889 entitled "View near the Close Gate 1826" mentioned "Blin'd Willie".[6]
It states:
...had its "characters" in the days that are gone. Of these Blin'd Willie was one of the most notable. His name was William Purvis, and he was probably one of the best known characters that ever wandered through the streets of Newcastle.
Another edition[which?] describes his antics in more detail, Willy as he entered a public house:
With the instinct peculiar to blind people Willie made his way instantly to us. We rose at once, and handed him a chair. Willie's dress was generally grey, and he wore buckles, like our keelmen of old. He always went without a hat, and groped his way about wonderfully. As soon as Willie got seated he said, "Bonny beer, bonny beer." We took the hint and at once ordered a pint of beer to be brought to him. Willie went on "God blish the king—God blish the king; never sheed him-never sheed him; poor shoul- poor shoul! "Willie we said after he had taken a good draught of the beer- Willie, we once heard you sing a little song. Will you kindly repeat it? "Shartinly, shartinly, ma chewel." Billy puts down the fiddle and accompanies a sort of chorus by clapping his knees with both hands—For to make the haggish nishe they put in some brown spishe. Tarum tickle, tan dum, to the tune o' tan dum, Tarum tickle, tan dum. And to make the haggish fine They put in a bottle of wine. Tarum tickle, tan dum, To the tune o' tan dum, Tarum tickle, tarum tickle tan dum.
Ha, ha, ha, ha,ha, chuckles Billy when he had finished, poor shoul, poor shoul!"
^Jo Bath; Richard F Stevenson (1 June 2013). The Newcastle Book of Days. History Press Limited. pp. 6–. ISBN978-0-7524-9382-4.
^Northumbrian Minstrelsy edited by J Collingwood Bruce and John Stokoe. the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 1882.
^The Monthly Chronicle of North-Country Lore and Legend (Volume 2). Published for Proprietors of the Newcastle weekly chronicle by, W. Scott Subjects: Northumberland (England). 1888.
^ ab"The Monthly Chronicle of North-Country Lore and Legend (Volume 2) 1888". 1887.
^"Monthly Chronicle of 1889 Printed and Published for Proprietors of the " Newcastle Weekly Chronicle " by Walter Scott, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and 24 Warwick Lane, Paternoster Row, London".
External linksEdit
The Newcastle Song Book or Tyne-Side Songster., W&T Fordyce Newcastle upon Tyne
Conrad Bladey's Beuk O' Newcassel Sangs
October 20, 2023
william, purvis, blind, willie, confused, with, billy, purvis, 1853, william, purvis, probably, better, known, blind, willie, 1752, july, 1832, tyneside, concert, hall, song, writer, performer, england, 18th, start, 19th, century, most, famous, song, broom, bu. Not to be confused with Billy Purvis 1853 William Purvis probably better known as Blind Willie 1752 20 July 1832 was a Tyneside concert hall song writer and performer in England at the end of the 18th and start of the 19th century His most famous song is Broom Buzzems He became known later as the ancient laureate of the Tyne and was remembered in the songs of Robert Gilchrist 1797 1844 and Thomas Thompson 1773 1816 1 Contents 1 Early life 2 Later life 3 Works 4 Notes 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksEarly life EditWilliam Purvis was the son of John Purvis a waterman and Margaret Purvis who died in All Saints Poorhouse aged over 100 William was born early in the year of 1752 in Newcastle and baptised at All Saints Church on 16 February 1752 He was either blind from birth or very shortly after although he often made comments from which the onlooker would think he could see Very rarely did he perform in the street preferring to perform in ale houses in which he would depend on the charity of the public but as he seemed to bring trade and the public appeared to like his ditties this seemed an amicable arrangement He was apparently hatless in all weathers and to most of the locals and to his clientele he was just Blind Willie Later life EditWilliam Purvis was an inhabitant of the All Saints Poorhouse but wandered around much of the town distinguishing every street alley house or shop with astonishing exactness Even when a tenancies changed he soon discovered the name of the new tenant and would call it out the next time he passed He was a great favourite of the local populace and few would pass him by in the street without recognition and a degree of sympathy He died on 20 July 1832 at the age of 80 2 Works EditHis favourite appeared to be Buy Broom Buzzems or Broom Besoms which some said he composed although others disputed this fact However he made it his own and added and removed extra simple verses to suit himself and his audience Notes EditMuch of the information on Blind Willie comes from the book Northumbrian Minstrelsy 3 This book edited by J Collingwood Bruce and John Stokoe is a collection of ballads melodies and small pipe tunes of Northumbria It was first published by the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1882 and contains notes of the songs and tunes This book quotes This eccentric character never enjoyed the faculty of sight and many still living remember the sonsy contented and sightless face of Willie as he trudged the streets without a covering on his head Several attempts were made by presenting him with a hat to induce him to wear one but after having borne the infliction for a day or two it was thrown aside and the Minstrel as he was called appeared again uncovered preferring the exposure of his hoary but well thatched pate to the pelting of the pitiless storm Blind Willie was perfectly acquainted with all the streets lanes and chares of his native town and made his way everywhere without a guide only using a long stick His happy contented nature made him a universal favourite with all ranks of society and he had his regular places of call where he was always welcome and duly served At the inns and public houses of the town Blind Willie s presence in the taproom was a sure attraction and his voice and fiddle in harmony singing some quaint local ditty gave never failing delight to his appreciative audiences Other references appear in the Newcastle Monthly Chronicle and an edition of Volume 2 pages 517 and 518 of 1888 4 5 This gives an interesting description of Blind Willie as He Willie had his regular houses of call where he was always welcome and duly served Thus he used to drop in on his rounds at Messrs Clapham amp Gilpin s chemist s shop first in Silver Street and afterwards in Pilgrim Street for the purpose of getting a dole of Spanish juice which was never denied him His invariable address was Hinny doctor gie us a bit o Spanish uttered in the confident tones of a simple guileless boy and God blish the king God blish the King never shaed him never sheed him poor shoul poor shoul was his regular form of thanksgiving There are mentions in two other articles in this same publication on Pages 80 and 517 5 An article on page 353 and 354 of the Monthly Chronicle of 1889 entitled View near the Close Gate 1826 mentioned Blin d Willie 6 It states had its characters in the days that are gone Of these Blin d Willie was one of the most notable His name was William Purvis and he was probably one of the best known characters that ever wandered through the streets of Newcastle Another edition which describes his antics in more detail Willy as he entered a public house With the instinct peculiar to blind people Willie made his way instantly to us We rose at once and handed him a chair Willie s dress was generally grey and he wore buckles like our keelmen of old He always went without a hat and groped his way about wonderfully As soon as Willie got seated he said Bonny beer bonny beer We took the hint and at once ordered a pint of beer to be brought to him Willie went on God blish the king God blish the king never sheed him never sheed him poor shoul poor shoul Willie we said after he had taken a good draught of the beer Willie we once heard you sing a little song Will you kindly repeat it Shartinly shartinly ma chewel Billy puts down the fiddle and accompanies a sort of chorus by clapping his knees with both hands For to make the haggishnishe they put in some brown spishe Tarum tickle tan dum to the tune o tan dum Tarum tickle tan dum And to make the haggish fine They put in a bottle of wine Tarum tickle tan dum To the tune o tan dum Tarum tickle tarum tickle tan dum Ha ha ha ha ha chuckles Billy when he had finished poor shoul poor shoul See also EditGeordie dialect wordsReferences Edit Wor Geordie dialect The song writers Jo Bath Richard F Stevenson 1 June 2013 The Newcastle Book of Days History Press Limited pp 6 ISBN 978 0 7524 9382 4 Northumbrian Minstrelsy edited by J Collingwood Bruce and John Stokoe the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne 1882 The Monthly Chronicle of North Country Lore and Legend Volume 2 Published for Proprietors of the Newcastle weekly chronicle by W Scott Subjects Northumberland England 1888 a b The Monthly Chronicle of North Country Lore and Legend Volume 2 1888 1887 Monthly Chronicle of 1889 Printed and Published for Proprietors of the Newcastle Weekly Chronicle by Walter Scott Newcastle on Tyne and 24 Warwick Lane Paternoster Row London External links EditThe Newcastle Song Book or Tyne Side Songster W amp T Fordyce Newcastle upon Tyne Conrad Bladey s Beuk O Newcassel Sangs Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William Purvis Blind Willie amp oldid 1150400157, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
