THOMAS SPENCE: THE POOR MAN'S REVOLUTIONARY.

THOMAS SPENCE: THE POOR MAN'S REVOLUTIONARY.

TALKS AND DISCUSSION, 7.30PM TUESDAY NOVEMBER 18TH, LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE.

Professor Alastair Bonnett and Doctor Keith Armstrong will introduce and discuss their new book on Thomas Spence, published by Breviary Stuff Publications, which features an informative introduction by Bonnett, essays by leading Spence scholars, together with poems and songs by Armstrong and a selection from Spence's own writings and from his political tokens.

At this meeting, Alastair Bonnett will outline Spence's political and historical importance and Keith Armstrong will describe how Spence has inspired him in his cultural work.

Links from Bonnett and Armstrong: http://thomas-spence-society.co.uk/

http://www.northernvoicescommunityprojects.co.uk/Northern_Voices_Community_Projects/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IMy-h2re3g

Breviary Stuff Publications: http://www.breviarystuff.org.uk/thomas-spence-the-poor-mans-revolutionary/

FOLK SONG FOR THOMAS SPENCE

Down by the old Quayside,

I heard a young man cry,

Among the nets and ships he made his way.

As the keelboats buzzed along,

He sang a seagull’s song;

He cried out for the Rights of you and me.

Oh lads, that man was Thomas Spence,

He gave up all his life

Just to be free.

Up and down the cobbled Side,

Struggling on through the Broad Chare,

He shouted out his wares

For you and me.

Oh Lads, you should have seen him gan,

He was a man the likes you rarely see.

With a pamphlet in his hand,

And a poem at his command,

He haunts the Quayside still,

And his words sing.

His folks they both were Scots,

Sold socks and fishing nets,

Through the Fog on the Tyne they plied their trade.

In this theatre of life,

The crying and the strife,

They tried to be decent and be strong.

Oh Lads, that man was Thomas Spence,

He gave up all his life

Just to be free

Up and down the cobbled Side,

Struggling on through the Broad Chare,

He shouted out his wares

For you and me.

Oh Lads, you should have seen him gan,

He was a man the likes you rarely see.

With a pamphlet in his hand,

And a poem at his command,

He haunts the Quayside still,

And his words sing.

Keith Armstrong