I know of another song which is still sung regularly locally (though not at football matches as such) which 'possibly' started out as a celebration of victory after a football match in the first half of the 18thC between the town of Selkirk and the men of the Merse ( ie from estates of the Earl of Hume) in the Scottish Borders. There would have been an added edge to it as by tradition Selkirk lost many men at the 16thC Battle of Flodden (ie The Flooers o' the Forest) and the Earl of Hume's men were accused, probably unfairly, of leaving the field of conflict. This explanation of the song is stated in the book "Songs of Scotland Prior To Burns" which was edited by Robert Chambers in 1862. It states that the illusion to Flodden has given rise to the idea that the song was about Flodden but the said explanation is taken from the earlier Statistical Account of Selkirk by the Rev Robertson. No date given for that publication. Though I moved away I am a Souter in that I was born in Selkirk – the word means shoe-maker.

The football in mind of course is not modern football but its precursor which is still played through the streets of some towns from the north of Scotland down to certainly as far as Derbyshire. The most famous annual Borders game is Jethart Ba' (ie Jedburgh) between the Uppies and Dounies which was played just three days ago.

THE SOUTERS O' SELKIRK.

Up wi the souters o' Selkirk
And down wi the Earl of Hume
But up wi ilka braw callant
That sews the single soled shoon

        Fy upon yellow and yellow
        And fy upon yellow and green
        But up wi the true blue and scarlet
        And up wi the single soled shoon

Up wi the lads o' the Forest
That ne'er to the Southron would yield
But deil scoup o' Hume and his menyie
That stood sae abeigh in the field

Fy on the green and the yellow
The craw hearted loons o' the Merse
But here's tae the souters o' Selkirk
The elshin, the lingle, the birse

Then up wi the souters o' Selkirk
For aye they are baith trusty and leal
And up wi the lads o' the Forest
And down wi the Merse to the deil.


Couldn't find a good clip of song being sung but this youtube clip of the Common Riding shows the Casting of the Colours ceremony which is done to said tune


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3vd7KsTs3A