Yorkshire Dialect

There is an interesting feature about these depressing dialect poems of the 19th century—they all end up on an optimistic note, more often than not in a rather sentimentalised religious vein. The oppressiveness of life seemed to bring out the West Riding worker’s inborn humour, which made him laugh in fate’s face. William Wright, of Keighley, wrote a delightful poem along just this theme, exhorting his fellow men not to let life get them down. It is called Come, nivver dee i’ thi shell; never be defeated by backing down from life.

Come, Nivver Dee i’ Thi Shell

“Come, nivver dee i’ thi shell, owd lad,”
Are words but rudely said;
Though they may cheer some stricken heart,
Or raise some wretched head;
For they are words I love misel,
They’re music to my ear;
They muster up fresh energy
An’ chase each doubt an’ fear.

Nivver dee i’ thi shell, owd lad,
Whativver thi creditors say;
Tell ‘em at least tha’rt foarst ta owe,
If tha artan’t able ta pay;
An’ if they nail thi bits o’ traps,
An’ sell thi dish an’ spooin;
Remember fickle forten lad,
Shoo changes like the mooin.

Nivver dee i’ thi shell, owd lad,
Through some may laugh an’ scorn;
Ther wor nivver a neet afore ta neet,
Bud what ther’ com a morn;
An’ if blind forten used tha bad,
Sho’s happen noan so meean;
Ta morn al come, an’ then fer some
T’owd sun will shine ageean.

Nivver dee i’ thi shell, owd lad,
Bud let thi motto be,
“Onward!” an’ “Excelsior”;
An’ try for t’ top o’t’ tree:
An’ if thi enemies still pursue,
Which ten-ta-one they will,
Show um owd lad, tha’rt doin’ well,
An’ climin’ up the hill.

lippen—delay; enew—enough; artant—are not; if they nail thi bits o’ traps—if the bailiffs take away your few possessions; spooin—spoon.