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Thomas Shimmin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thomas Shimmin (1800 – c. 1876–1879[1]) was a rag gatherer and poet nicknamed "Tom the Dipper" who lived in the Isle of Man.[1]

Commemorative plaque for Tom the Dipper

He sang and wrote poetry in the Manx language and in English. His poems include, Yn Coayl jeh'n Lillee (The Loss of the Lily),[2] Happy Marriage of the Prince of Wales, and The Royal Manx Railway, or £5 of wit for a penny.[1]

He was twice sentenced for robbery, first in 1843 and second in 1851. In 1843, he was sentenced to transportation to Australia, but was pardoned and released in July 1847.[1] He also preached. He may have died in 1876 or 1879.[1]

Happy Marriage of the Prince of Wales

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But the despised metropolis,
I call it Castletown,
Although the Governor were amiss,
In honour did abound;
'Twas not alone the poor were fed,
But tradesmen and there spouse,
To the Town Hall were freely led,
And quickly filled the house.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e A. W. Moore, Manx Worthies, S. K. Broadbent & Company (Douglas, Isle of Man) 1901. accessed 1 January 2008
  2. ^ Gilchrist, A. G., and Lucy E. Broadwood. "Last Gleanings." Journal of the Folk-Song Society 7, no. 30 (1926): 299-317.

Further reading

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  • Wright, John The Manx MacGonigal: The poems, the life and world of Thomas Shimmin, Manx poet, known as Tom the Dipper. Onchan, 1997