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Owd Jone
by William E. A. Axon, M.A., LL.D., FRSL. (1846 – 1913)

 

William Edward Armytage Axon was born and died in Manchester. He entered the service of the Manchester Public Libraries when fifteen and became Deputy Chief Librarian, resigning in 1874 when he joined the literary staff of the Manchester Guardian, the forerunner of The Guardian.

 

William Axon was obviously an extremely highly educated man for his time, yet this poem has both a difficult rhythm and a difficult subject. But it is curious, and contains some nice Lancashire dialect, so I've included it. It is taken from 'A Lancashire Garland'.

 

Owd Jone

 

A Pilgrim aw’ve bin o’ mi days,

Bu’ awm gettin’ to th’ eend o’ mi ways;

Aw hanno much lunger to roam

It’s toime aw wur shapin’ fur whoam.

 

Aw conno see weel wi four een,

An’ th’ trees looken breawn sted o’ green;

Eh! th’ lads ’at aw fowt wi’ i’ play

Han o on ‘em powlert away,

An’ th’ lasses aw donst wi’ i’ th’ lone

Lee under a blanket o’ stone.

 

At neetfo brids seeken ther nest

An’ fowd up ther wings for a rest

Aw bithink me mi mother ’ud say,

“Neaw Jone, lad, come in fro’ thi play,

It’s toime tha wur safe i’ thi bed,”

An’ hoo kist me an’ patted mi yed,

An’ hoo billed me up snugly an’ warm,

An’ sed “Theer lad, tha’ll happen no harm.”

 

Eh! th’ Power at set her love i’ choon

Still orders aw things up aboon,

An’ so aw’s lay me deawn i’ trust

That he who made me eawt o’ dust,

An’ gan me to mi mother’s breast

Will end mi day wi’ welcome rest. 

 

 

Audio: You may need to allow "Active X" to listen.

 

 

Link to Glossary 

 

Explanations

Shapin' - shaping, getting ready

Four een - glasses

Powlert away - gone off, become worn out

Neetfo - nightfall

Hoo - she

Billed - wrapped, tucked

Happen no harm - should be alright