
Transcribed from the 1876 edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org. Many thanks to Bradford Local Studies for providing the copy from which this transcription was made. Also to Keighley Local Studies for supplying the title page (the Bradford copy lacks the title page).
RANDOM RHYMES AND RAMBLES.
INTRODUCTION.
Random Rhymes AND Rambles. - Come Nivver De e Thee Shell.
Oud Betty’s Advice.
The Fugitive: a Tale Kersmas Time.
Sall at Bog.
Th’ Furst Pair o’ Briches.
Fra Haworth ta Bradford.
O, Welcome, Lovely Summer.
A charmingly raw anthology of verse and prose, this volume captures the spontaneous musings of a 19th‑century folk poet. Written in a lively regional dialect, the pieces range from playful jingles about perseverance to heartfelt advice on love, work, and everyday chores. The author’s self‑declared lack of formal training only adds to the authenticity, allowing the reader to hear the cadence of a true community voice.
Among the assorted rhymes sits a warm Christmas scene where a weary traveler seeks shelter from a winter storm. The family’s humble hospitality unfolds in gentle, rhythmic storytelling that invites listeners into a world of simple generosity and quiet courage. Though the collection never aspires to high‑brow poetry, its raw energy and earnest sincerity create a vivid snapshot of rural life, making each stanza feel like a friendly chat by the hearth.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (140K characters)
Release date
2012-03-19
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1836–1897
A lively Yorkshire dialect poet with a taste for adventure, he turned a life of odd jobs and hard experience into warm, humorous verse and memoir. His writing captures local voices, working people, and the restless energy of 19th-century Keighley.
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