THE TOORIE ON HIS BONNET
(from a recording by Evelyn Knight)


Mactavish was pipe major
In the Highland Scots Brigade
And proudly led the regiment
When it was on parade
He loved a highland lassie
And before he went away
She sewed a little keepsake
So he'd think of her each day

Twas the toorie on his bonnet
The red toorie on it
His red toorie-oorie-oorie ay
He left his kilt and sporran
And off he went to war in
His red toorie-oorie-oorie-ay.

And when swingin' intae action,
He's the center of attraction
The pride o' bonny Scotland so they say.
What made the Gerrys run
It was not his tommy gun
'Twas the toorie on his bonnet
The bonnie toorie on it
His red toorie-oorie-oorie-ay.

When he came home on furlough
To his wee bit but and ben
He met his bonnie Jeanie
And went roamin down the glen
She said to him Mactavish man
If you were true to me
Give me your old glengarry
For there's one thing I must see

Twas the toorie on his bonnet
The red toorie on it
His red toorie-oorie-oorie ay
He left his kilt and sporran
And off he went to war in
His red toorie-oorie-oorie-ay.

And went swinging intae action
He's the centre of attraction
The pride of bonnie Scotland so they say
Twas not the moon nor skies
Or the way he rolled his eyes
Twas the toorie on his bonnet
The boonie toorie on it
His red toorie-oorie-oorie-ay
His red toorie-oorie oorie-ay