John Stobbs was a 19th-century English songwriter and poet who lived in the Tyneside district. Many of his writings are in the Geordie dialect.
There is very little information on John Stobbs, except that he was (like William Egglestone) noted for his humorous monologues and appeared to either subscribe to other books, like the “Descriptive and Historical Account of the Town and County of Newcastle-upon-Tyne" by Eneas Mackenzie, published c1827, or for him or his works to be quoted in the works by the work’s author.
The following songs have been attributed to John Stobbs, all of which appear in The Shields Garland :-
Blow the Wind Southerly – A note at the foot of the song may attribute authorship to Alexander Brighton Coal trade (The) – In some places this is attributed to William Brockie, but a note on the manuscript states that it was “touched up” by BrockieFitter he has Daughters three, Drive away the Waggons, Hinny (The) - A Sailor’s song at the capstanJenny Chowk’d the BairnLiberty for the sailors, a Shields song for the days of the Press-gangPound of teaSweepy’s Lovely Daughter (The)Tally I, O, the grinder or A Sailor’s Song at the CapstanTynemouth (or Tynemouth Abbey" (music by Thomas Haswell)Blow the Wind Southerly - A recording available on MWM Records sung by Judy DinningLiberty for the sailors - this song also appears in Northumbrian Minstrelsy by Bruce and Stokoe, 1882 - A recording available on MWM Records sung by Jane WadeSweepy’s Lovely Daughter (The) - A recording available on MWM records sung by Benny GrahamTally I, O, the grinder - A recording available on MWM records sung by Ray Stubbs and the Hush