In 1881 Armstrong’s built a warship for the Chinese Government and hundreds of Chinese sailors came to Newcastle to sail her home.
John Chinaman hes cum te spy
Wor canny Northern toon,
Wi’ flatten’d fyece, an’ funny eye,
An’ skin ov olive broon,
An’ stumpy feet, an’ lang pig-tails
An’ claes o’ clooty blue,
Alang wor street he slawly trails,
Just like a live yule doo.
John Chinaman, John Chinaman,
What hew ye cum te see?
What de ye think o’ wor toon lads?
Hoo de ye like wor Quay?
Hev ye been to the Market yit,
Wor cabbages te see,
Or “get a puddin’ nice an’ het,”
Or hev a cup o’ tea?
Or hev ye been te th’ cutler’s there
Te get yor-sel a knife,
Or stroll’d th’ length o’ filly fair
To choose yor-sel a wife?
Composed by James Horsley in 1881. Arranged and performed by W.T. Duggan.
