ON THE BEACH AT PORTOBELLO
As recorded by Matt McGinn on “The Best of Matt McGinn, Vol. 2,” 2003.
Tune: Torna a Surriento (Come Back to Sorrento—Italian song in the Neapolitan dialect)

On the beach at Portobello,
Maggie fell in with a fellow.
His hair was black and his teeth was yellow,
Down by the Portobello pier.

He was balding; he was hen-toed,
Singing: “Come Back to Sorrento.”
Made her feel quite sentimento
Down by the Portobello pier.

His shoes was worn intae the upper,
But he bought her a big pie supper.
She thought he was tryin to get—acquainted,
Down by the Portobello pier.

He got fresh wi Maggie gemmo(?).
She says: “Here, you, what’s your game-o?”
He says: “Wait, an I'll gie ye a demo”
Down by the Portobello pier.

It’s a day she’ll aye remembra,
Though it was ten year last Novembra
Since she took that train to Embra [Edinburgh]
And a bus to the Portobello pier.

He told her his name was Larry,
Asked her if she’d like to marry.
She says: “Yes, Tom, Dick and Harry”
Down by the Portobello pier.

On the beach at Portobello,
Maggie fell in with a fellow.
His hair was black an his teeth was yellow,
Down by the Portobello pier.