William Purvis, probably better known as "Blind Willie" (1752 – 20 July 1832), was a

Tyneside Tyneside is a List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, built-up area across the banks of the River Tyne, England, River Tyne in Northern England. The population of Tyneside as published in the United Kingdom Census 2011, 2011 census was 774,891 ...

concert hall song writer and performer in England at the end of the 18th and start of the 19th century. His most famous song is "

Broom Buzzems "Buy Broom Buzzems" (or "Buy Broom Besums") is a song attributed by many to William Purvis, probably better known as "Blind Willie" (1752–1832), a Tyneside songwriter and performer in the end of the 18th and start of the 19th century, and is ...

". He became known later as the "ancient laureate of the Tyne" and was remembered in the songs of Robert Gilchrist (1797–1844) and Thomas Thompson (1773–1816).

Early life

William Purvis was the son of John Purvis, a waterman, and Margaret Purvis (who died in All Saints Poorhouse aged over 100). William was born early in the year of 1752 in Newcastle, and baptised at All Saints' Church on 16 February 1752. He was either blind from birth, or very shortly after, although he often made comments from which the onlooker would think he could see. Very rarely did he perform in the street, preferring to perform in ale houses, in which he would depend on the charity of the public, but as he seemed to bring trade and the public appeared to like his ditties this seemed an amicable arrangement. He was apparently hatless in all weathers and to most of the locals and to his clientele he was just "Blind Willie".

Later life

William Purvis was an inhabitant of the All Saints Poorhouse but wandered around much of the town, distinguishing every street, alley, house, or shop with astonishing exactness. Even when a tenancies changed, he soon discovered the name of the new tenant, and would, call it out the next time he passed. He was a great favourite of the local populace and few would pass him by in the street without recognition and a degree of sympathy. He died on 20 July 1832 at the age of 80.

Works

His favourite appeared to be " Buy Broom Buzzems" or "Broom Besoms" which some said he composed, although others disputed this fact. However, he made it his own, and added and removed extra simple verses to suit himself (and his audience)

Notes

Much of the information on Blind Willie comes from the book ''Northumbrian Minstrelsy''. This book, edited by J. Collingwood Bruce and John Stokoe, is a collection of ballads, melodies and small-pipe tunes of

Northumbria Northumbria () was an early medieval Heptarchy, kingdom in what is now Northern England and Scottish Lowlands, South Scotland. The name derives from the Old English meaning "the people or province north of the Humber", as opposed to the Sout ...

. It was first published by the Society of Antiquaries of

Newcastle upon Tyne Newcastle upon Tyne, or simply Newcastle ( , Received Pronunciation, RP: ), is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England. It is England's northernmost metropolitan borough, located o ...

in 1882 and contains notes of the songs and tunes. This book quotes: Other references appear in the ''Newcastle Monthly Chronicle'' and an edition of Volume 2 (pages 517 and 518) of 1888 This gives an interesting description of Blind Willie as: There are mentions in two other articles in this same publication on Pages 80 and 517. An article on page 353 and 354 of the ''Monthly Chronicle'' of 1889 entitled "View near the Close Gate 1826" mentioned "Blin'd Willie". It states: Another edition describes his antics in more detail, Willy as he entered a public house:

References

External links