Lyr Req: Big Sammy + Lots of Little Soldiers

Subject: Matt McGinn
From: Jock Morris
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 10:42 AM

I'm looking for the lyrics for two of Matt's songs: 'Big Sammy' and 'Lots of Little Soldiers'. A search of the DT and the forum has failed to find them and Google hasn't helped either. Can someone post them or do I have to do it the hard way and transcribe from CD? Many thanks if anyone can help.

Scott

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Matt McGinn Lyrics at http://www.mattmcginn.info

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Matt McGinn
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 11:17 AM

Wurds are in a very estemed book called 'McGinn of the Carlton' published by Glasgow City Libraries. I had a copy but someone has half inched it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Matt McGinn
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 11:24 AM

I suspect you'll have to do it the hard way. We haven't had a lot of luck finding McGinn lyrics on the web. Some are here, if you go to the white box called Digitrad and Forum Search and enter Matt McGinn, what we have should come up.

Subject: Lyr Add: LOTS OF LITTLE SOLDIERS and BIG SAMMY
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 06:18 PM

From 'McGinn of the Calton' (1987):
LOTS OF LITTLE SOLDIERS
(Trad / Matt McGinn)

Chorus:
I put them upon the table and I marched them all around
Then I battered them with the cannonballs and watched them falling down
I had lots of little crosses that I laid upon the dead
Then I patched up all the wounded ones and sent them home to bed

My name is 'What you may call me' and my father's was as well
Of a little game he taught me now the story I will tell
We had lots of little soldiers and as sure as the day would come
I sent them into battle with the rattle of my drum

I went round and asked the neighbours for a nickel or a dime
To help me buy some soldiers just to help me pass the time
They were always very kindly in supplying me with guns
And some of them even let me play at soldiers with their sons

Whenever I went to the shop to buy my guns and tanks
The man there always smiled and patted me head and whispered 'Thanks
If it wasn't for your soldier game I don't know what I'd do
You keep my business busy son so here's an extra few

One day I bought some aeroplanes but here was what I found
When I sent them in with bombs to help my army on the ground
They bombed up every soldier there and proved a sorrowful flop
I had to buy another hundred crosses from the shop

I would very much like if I could teach this little game of guns
To my seven beautiful daughters and my fourteen lovely sons
But the man in the shop he gave me down a bomb from off the shelf
It blew up every soldier, all my neighbours and myself

Tune: The Jolly Beggarman


BIG SAMMY
(Trad / Matt McGinn)

Chorus:
That thing belongs to Big Sammy
The big fighting man of the toon
If you touch it he nearly goes barmy
So scram before Sammy comes roun'

I started work up in Partick
But my workmates were acting gey queer
For everything I laid my hands on
These were the words I could hear

I spotted some tools in a corner
I lifted a shovel and pick
Says a hulking big six-foot-two brickie
For heaven's sake lay them down quick

I went for some tea when the break came
I walked in and lifted a cup
The can boy near fell o'er the fire
And squealed like a six weeks' old pup

I lifted a stool and I held it
Says I, Where does Big Sammy stay
I don't care how big is Big Sammy
I'll soon sort him out the day

I broke in and asleep by the fire
Was a man that weighed 34 stone
With a stool in my hand I attacked him
Says I, I'll soon stop them that moan

He slept all the while I attacked him
My muscular strength was all gone
When a woman rushed in and she's screaming
Would you not leave that poor child alone

Last chorus:
That child belongs to Big Sammy
The big fighting man of the town
If you touch it he nearly goes barmy
So scram before Sammy comes roun'

Tune: Dick Darby the Cobbler

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Matt McGinn
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 06:24 PM

Whhooo wooo! Let's hear it for Susanne! You're great, skw!! Thanks! And she even remembered the Add! Wow! (I usually forget that part.........)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Matt McGinn
From: Jock Morris
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 06:58 PM

Many thanks Susanne; you've saved me one hell of a lot of time and avoided the variations that would have come from transcribing. Boy I love this place.

Scott

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Matt McGinn
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 08:43 PM

You're welcome, both of you! :-))) I bought the book in Glasgow a long time ago, and I don't have most of his songs, but it does come in handy once in a while!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Matt McGinn
From: GUEST,ta2
Date: 26 Jan 02 - 03:05 PM

screwtaps keep fallin' on my head.............what else can i say

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Big Sammy + Lots of Little Soldiers
From: GUEST,Jock Morris
Date: 17 Jan 16 - 05:58 AM

14 years later I find myself looking for the Big Sammy lyrics again and stumble across the same thread. Must learn the lyrics this time! Scott