TONY WILSON FOLK SONG FROM THE NORTH EAST "WATERS OF TYNE"

I learned this song almost by osmosis from standing in the hall along with a hundred other infant children in the late 1950's at Gilbert Street Infants. I worked out how to play it for a concert that I did in June 2008 with the inimitable Ray Spencer and Bob Stott at the Customs House in South Shields. A great venue and a wonderful evening was had by all. I wanted to have a video of me singing the song on the banks of the River Tyne but the heavens opened up and I used the demo version as a backdrop to the wonderful river of my home town of South Shields. This is for my mother who has given me such encouragement throughout the whole of my life. The reference to sand dancer is the nick-name for people who come from South Shields and the wind that blew the sand onto the streets so that when they walked they sounded like Wilson, Kepple and Betty when they walked out of an evening. At the end you can hear the inevitable herring gulls almost drowned out by the bells of St. Hild's in the Market Place.

[@thebanj]

Thanks for that. Tony

[@slowerairs]

Made me quite nostalgic being an ex Sandancer. Nice version

[@jonnttyy]

great song, nice video. Bob Fox merges Waters of Tyne into Big River with great effect. Thanks for that Tony. Hope to see you performing in Newcastle area soon.

[@pyro2769]

geordie and proud of it :)

[@thebanj]

Thanks for saying and I liked your site too.
Tony

[@CaptainKubla]

*sniffle* Champion.

[@thebanj]

I'm so pleased you like it. I love South Shields.
Tony

[@edward0988]

nicely done, works well when sung in a native acent, thanks for posting

[@thebanj]

I am so flattered that you like it.

[@InLasVegas23]

I'm just wondering if anyone knows where to find the original of this song? My grandma has just passed and she wanted it played at her funeral. It would really mean a lot to my family if I could find it for them, and would mean just one less thing for anyone to stress about. If anyone at all knows how to find the original, please comment, thank you :)

[@noelclownhall]

Absolutely brilliant. Can you sing Thirty Foot Trailer.