Folk Olympics: John Newton, Goebbels, Star Trek & The Slave Trade

By Londonist Last edited 148 months ago
Folk Olympics: John Newton, Goebbels, Star Trek & The Slave Trade

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

It's week six of our folk tales from the five London Boroughs, and Ruairidh Anderson tells the story of Wapping's John Newton – writer of one of the world's most famous songs, slave trader and abolitionist to boot.

‘’During this time by his own account, John Newton descended into sins of the most dark and licentious variety. Amongst his aberrations was the composition of rude songs directed at his ship's captain, much to the amusement of those around him because you see, John was a very talented songwriter."

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

Previously in Tower Hamlets

Last Updated 05 November 2011