Harry Nelson (1804-????) was a Newcastle upon Tyne concert hall singer and comedian of the late 19th/early 20th century. He is credited with writing "Hi, canny man hoy a ha'penny oot"
Harry Nelson made a few recordings right at the end of his career, which included "Hi, canny man" and "Our Jemmie" (or "Oh, hey ye seen wor Jimmie"), both of which songs are still popular in Tyneside folk clubs. Both these songs survived and are available on the CD Various Artists - Wor Nanny's A Mazer: Early Recordings Of Artists From The North East 1904-1933 (on Phonograph, PHCD2K1) The full list of tracks on this CD are as follows :-
| order | title | artist | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Wor Nanny’s a mazer" | C. Ernest Catcheside Warrington | |
| 2 | "Blaydon Races" | J.C. Scatter | |
| 3 | "Alpine Echoes" | Harton Colliery Band | |
| 4 | "Geordie Haad The Bairn" | Jamieson Dodds | |
| 5 | "Cushy Butterfield" | C. Ernest Catcheside Warrington | |
| 6 | "Hi, canny man" | Harry Nelson | |
| 7 | "" | Jamieson Dodds | |
| 8 | "Tyneside Policeman" | J.C. Scatter | |
| 9 | "The Cliffs of Old Tynemouth" | C. Ernest Catcheside Warrington | |
| 10 | "Our Jemmie (with patter)" | Harry Nelson | |
| 11 | "Johnson and High Level Hornpipe" | Jas. Brown | |
| 12 | "Keep Your Feet Still Geordie Hinny" | Dewey Gibson | |
| 13 | "Last Night" | C. Ernest Catcheside Warrington | |
| 14 | "Adam Buckam O!, Wrap Up" | Ernest J. Potts | |
| 15 | "Whistling Geordie" | Jimmy James | |
| 16 | "(Weel May) The Keel Row" | Anthony Charlton | |
| 17 | "Hexham Races" (Northumbrian Smallpipes) | Felton Lonnin | |
| 18 | "Albert Before The Means Test Committee Parts 1 & 2" | Albert Burdon & Company |
Harry Nelson made his three records (six sides) just before the outbreak of World War I, only months before his death. Therefore, the birth date of 1804 appears to be too early - he was performing right until the end.