The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #109049   Message #2868481
Posted By: Jim McLean
21-Mar-10 - 06:16 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Don't Sign Up for War (Alistair Hulett)
Subject: Lyr Req: DON'T SIGN UP FOR WAR (Alistair Hulett)
Jim Dixon, I've cut and pasted your posting and inserted the missing words and corrected a few misheard words.

1. See yon Arthur Henderson, heid bummer o' the workin' men.
When war broke oot, he pressed his suit and he ran tae catch the train.
He signed a deal in London: nae mair strikes until the fightin's done.
In Glesga toon the word gaed roon, 'Tak tent o' John Maclean!'

CHORUS: He said, 'A bayonet, that's a weapon with a workin' man at either end.
Betray your country. Serve your class. Don't sign up for war, my friend.
Don't sign up for war.'

2. When they turned him oot at Langside Hall, John stood up at the fountain.
What he said was tailor-made tae magnify the friction.
'Ye patriots can roar and bawl; it's nowt but braggart's fiction.
The only war worth fightin' for is war against oppression.' CHORUS

3. The polis wheeched him oot o' there, and doon tae Queen's Park Station.
They telt him plain, offend again an we'll mak ye rue the day, son.
But Johnny didnae turn a hair. He ca'd for a demonstration.
A mighty thrang, ten thoosand strang, turned oot against conscription.

4. The next time that they came for him, John kent they meant the business.
He didnae plea for mercy. He said, 'Gie me British justice.'
The justice that he ca'd for stunned many intae silence.
When oot o' hell the hammer fell, three years was the sentence. CHORUS

5. The clamour tae release Maclean reached fever pitch and mair, man.
In a year and a hauf, they ca'd it aff, but, Christ, it taxed him sair, man.
He came back auld afore his time but he didnae seem tae care, man.
'Be all ye can, I'm still the wan wha'll cause ye tae beware, man.'

6. The last time that they jailed Maclean, he cam gey close tae scunnert.
Wi' a rubber hose put up his nose they kept him swap suppert.
Let him oot or keep him in, Red Clyde was ower blaistart.
Ilk wey they turnt government were weel an' brawly gouthart. CHORUS