*** Happy Birthday ***

John Maclean

born 14 August 1879
(died St Andrews Day, 11/30/1923)

Tak tent when he's speakin', for they'll mind whit he said here

                                     In Glasgie, oor city -- an' the haill warld beside.
                                Och hey, lad, the scarlet's bonnie: here's tae ye, Hielan' Shony!
                                    Oor John Maclean has come hame tae the Clyde.
                                    Oor John Maclean has come hame tae the Clyde.

"The John Maclean March," Hamish Henderson

            (one of those just plain great songs)

Maclean's triumphant return to Glasgow from Peterhead Jail was 3 December 1918.  See The biography by James D. Young, John Maclean: Clydeside Socialist (Clydeside Press.)  It's still available from AK Distribution, who have a US office: http://www.akpress.org. [much thanx to Jack Campin].  Although effectively expurgated from the history books until recently, there are now several biographies and books of his writings available.

["haderums" is one of the (at least) 5 types of drum in a standard Highland marching band - thanx Paul Draper]

Note: All words & spelling are as given in the Hamish Henderson Songbook, ie Arthur Argo's Chapbook, Vol 3, No 6.  Of course, it's sung however it's sung - even by Great Hamish.  But I've never heard that repeat line to the refrain actually sung.  Can anyone confirm the lalans familiar spelling for John/Sean would be "Shony?"

Copyright  © Abby Sale, 2000, Note: note: Happy!/happy? shall return.  We promise.  But not now.  No, not now.