Rhymes of Northern Bards (full title â "Rhymes of Northern Bards: being a curious collection of old and new Songs and Poems, Peculiar to the Counties of Newcastle, Northumberland and Durham â Edited by John Bell 1812") is a book of North East England traditional and popular song consisting of approximately 200 song lyrics on over 300 pages, published in 1812. It was reprinted in 1971 by Frank Graham, Newcastle upon Tyne with an introduction by David Harker.
It is, as the title suggests, a collection of songs which would have been popular, or topical, at the date of publication.
The front cover of the book was as thus :-
Rhymes<br /> Of<br /> Northern Bards: <br /> being a curious<br /> Collection<br /> of old and new<br /> Songs And Poems, <br /> Peculiar to the Counties of <br /> Newcastle upon Tyne, <br /> Northumberland, & Durham.
Edited by John Bell, Jun.
âÂÂNorthumbriaâÂÂs sons stand forth, by all confest<br /> âÂÂThe first and firmest of fair freedomâÂÂs train; <br /> âÂÂEach brave Northumbrian Nurses in his breast<br /> âÂÂThe sacred spark, unsullied by a stain.âÂÂ
Newcastle upon Tyne: (printed in an old English style) <br /> Printed for John Bell, by M. Angus & Son, and sold by them, <br /> and other Booksellers in Town.
MDCCCXII
Are as below :-<br/ >