John Selkirk

John Selkirk (1782–1843) was a Tyneside songwriter of the 18th and 19th century. His best-known works are those about Bob Cranky and the Swalwell Hopping. Selkirk was a contemporary of the earliest Geordie dialect poet/songwriters John (Jack) Shield and Thomas Thompson.

Early life John Selkirk was born in 1782 in Gateshead (just o'er the blue stane o' the brig), the son of George Selkirk, a local barber who had a shop in The Close, Newcastle.

He joined Messrs Strake and Boyd of The Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne as a clerk.

His songs appear on "The Northern Minstrel or Gateshead Songster 1806–07".

He has been described as "The Otway of the local muse".

Later life At one stage, Selkirk moved to London in an attempt to find success as a merchant but this eluded him, and he returned to his native Tyneside in 1830, having failed in his endeavour. His final years were lived in poverty and destitution.

When aged 60 or 61, he drowned after falling into the River Tyne at or near Sandgate. (plot Number 655).

Works

The main character he seemed to write about was Bob Cranky, an habitual braggart. Written during his early life, specifically in his 20s, this material includes: Bob Cranky's 'Size Sunday ('Size being an abbreviation for Assize) (1804) Bob Cranky's Complaint Swalwell Hopping, to the tune of Irish air "Paddy's Wedding" (1807)