Notes - The Jolly Beggar

"John Hartley (1839-1915) was an English poet who worked in the Yorkshire dialect. He wrote a great deal of prose and poetry – often of a sentimental nature – dealing with the poverty of the district. He was born on Bedford Street North in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Hartley wrote and edited the Original Illuminated Clock Almanack from 1866 to his death.

Most of Hartley's works are written in dialect. Hartley wrote a number of books about the character "Sammywell Grimes" and his wife "Mally" who has a number of adventures and suffers unfortunate mishaps. 'The Jolly Beggar' is taken from his 'Yorkshire Lyrics' and was turned into a song by yours truly. Its sentiment is typical of Hartley - a true Yorkshireman!