We'll Have a May Day Then !
Celebrate May Day with the Songs and Humour of Matt McGinn

Matt McGinn was one of the most important topical songwriters in the British Isles. He was born in the Calton, Glasgow in 1928. At 14, he worked in a Hillington factory, spending his spare time at evening classes and reading. When he was thirty-one, he gained a prestigious Trade Union scholarship to Ruskin College in Oxford. After taking his diploma in Economics and Political Science, he qualified and went to work as a teacher in Rutherglen for three years.

Matt found himself in the folk business after winning a song contest with a song entitled "The Foreman O'Rourke." He met Pete Seeger in 1961who championed McGinn's music in the United States and arranged for McGinn to be part of a concert performance at Carnegie Hall, where McGinn met a young Bob Dylan. Matt carved his own niche as a humourist and playwright as well as a singer/songwriter. He was a prolific songwriter, drawing on his experiences of Glasgow life for much of his material. His performances in clubs and concert halls were hugely popular, often leaving the audience in tears of laughter. He passionately believed in the overthrow of capitalism and supported many union disputes and helped the needy. Matt died on January 6th 1977 from the effects of smoke inhalation after falling asleep with a lighted cigarette in his hand. Although brought up a Roman Catholic he abandoned religion and at his funeral the Communist anthem 'The International' was movingly sung by the large congregation ........he will always be remembered. His songs live on and are still performed.
WE'LL HAVE A MAY DAY - The Songs and Humour of MATT McGINN
performed by Stramash, the Cameron Band with Andy Hamilton,
Reawakening and Andy Duncan
SUNDAY 6TH MAY AT 7.30.   St Andrew's in the Square.
Tickets £7 (£6 concession) Phone:0798 4748 849 or 0789 0237 687   

www.glasgowfestivalofsongwriting.co.uk

www.mattmcginn.info