Tommy Armstrong: Pitman Poet and Prison

Name………………………………

Yil awl hev 'ard of Dorham Jail, But it wad ye much sorprise, 1. How does the prisoner describe the walls of the Te see th' prisonors in th' yard, Jail? Wen thay'r on exorcise, This yard is bilt eroond wi' walls, Se noabil en se strang, 2. What does he mean by the last two lines? We ivor gans thae heh te bide Thor time, Be it short or lang.

Chorus 3. Why do you think there’s “nee gud luck” in Thare's nee gud luck in Dorham Jail, Durham Jail? Thare's nee gud luck at awl; Wat is breed en skilly for, Burt just te muaik smaul? 4. According to the prisoner what is the purpose of the Jail?

When ye gan to Dorham Jail, 5. Does the prisoner have any choice about working Thae'll find ye wiv employ, in Jail? Thae'll dress ye up se dandy In a suite e cordy-roy; Thae'll fetch e a cap wivoot e peak, 6. What complaints does he have about the En nivor ax your size, uniform? En like your suite, its cordy-roy En cums doon ower yor ies.

Th' forst month is th' warst iv awl; Your feelins thae will trie 7. What are the beds like in Durham Jail? Thare's nowt but two great lumps e wood, On which ye heh to lie. Then aftor that ye get e bed, But it's as 'ard is stuains, At neet ye dorsint muaik e torn, For feer ye brick some buaines.

Awl kines e wark thare's ganen on, 8. What jobs do the prisoners have? Do you think Upon these noable flats, they would like the jobs? Teasin oakum, muaikin balls, En weeven coco mats. Wen ye gan in ye mae be thin, But thae cin muaik ye thinnor, If your oakim isnt teesed, 9. Why do the prisoners have to work so hard? Thae'r shoor to stop yor dinnor. Th' shoos ye get is oftin tens, Th' smaulest size is nine; 10. What is the prisoner complaining about in this Tho'r big eneuf to muaik a skiff verse? For Boyd ipon the Tyne. En if ye shud be cauld at neets, Just muaik yorsels at yem; Lap your claes eroond yor shoos, En get inside e' them.

Yil get yor meat an clais for nowt, 11. According to the prisoner, what are the good Yor hoose en firin free; points of Durham Jail? Awl yor meet's browt to th' door - Hoo happy ye shud be! Thor's soap en too'l en wooden speun, En e little bairne's pot; 12. Do you think he really believes that they are They fetch yor papers ivory week good points? For ye to clean your b't.

13. Does the prisoner think he deserves this treatment in Jail? What do you think?