Folk Olympics: Charlie Brown, Uncrowned King Of Limehouse

By Londonist Last edited 156 months ago

Last Updated 02 October 2011

Folk Olympics: Charlie Brown, Uncrowned King Of Limehouse

A weekly celebration of the folk history of the Olympic boroughs, in song and video.

This week, Ruairidh Anderson tells the tale of Charlie Brown, famous landlord of the Railway Tavern in Limehouse, who assembled a pub full of wonders.

“Over the years, after being thrown around on the waves, seaman would flock to this pub and along with their bizarre and exotic venereal diseases, would bring treasures and trophies from travels around the globe.”

The story is part of Songs From The Howling Sea, a unique project that showcases London tales in video and song. Ruairidh Anderson delivers weekly installments from the five Olympic boroughs, starting with Tower Hamlets.

All songs are free to download from Songs From The Howling Sea. Lyrics can be found here.