Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow That I Used to Know?

Subject: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: Hillheader
Date: 04 Mar 01 - 05:56 AM

I'm looking for the lyrics of a song called "Where is the Glasgow That I used to Know?". I think it was sung by the McCalmans and/or Robin Hall and Jimmy McGregor.

Can anyone help please?

Subject: Lyr Add: WHERE IS THE GLASGOW THAT I USED TO KNOW?
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Mar 01 - 07:44 AM

Where is the Glasgow where I used tae stey
Whe white wally closes done up w' pipe cley
Where ye knew every neighbour frae first floor tae third
And tae keep yer door locked ws considered absurd
Do you know the folk steying next door tae you

And where is the wee shop where I used tae buy
A quarter o totties, a tuppenny pie
A bag o broken biscuits an three totty scones
An the wuman aye asked ' How's yer maw gettin on?'
Can your big supermarket gie service like that?

And where is the wean that once played in the street
Wi a jorrie, a peerie, a gird wae a cleek
Can he still cadge a hurdie an dreep aff a dyke
Or is writing on walls noo the wan thing he likes
Can he tell Chickie Mellie frae Hunch, Cuddy, Hunch

And where is the tram car that once did the ton
Up the Great Western Road on the old Yoker run
The conductress aye knew how tae deal wi a nyaff
'If yer gaun then get oan if ye're no then get aff'
Are there ony like her on the buses the day?

And where is the chip shop that I knew sae well
The wee corner cafe where they used tae sell
Hot peas and brae an' McCallums an' pokes
An ye knew they were Tallies the minute they spoke
'Dae ye want-a-da raspberry ower yer ice cream

Oh where is the Glasgow that I used tae know
Big Wullie, wee Shooey, the steamie, the Co
The shilpet wee bauchle, the glaiket big dreep
The ba' on the slates an' yer gas at a peep
If ye scrape the venner aff, are these things still there?

Written by Adam McNaughtan

---

Line breaks -
- added. --JoeClone

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: Hillheader
Date: 04 Mar 01 - 09:18 AM

Thanks for this, but I remember another verse about football which ended "is the gemme like big Woodburn suspended sine die

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 04 Mar 01 - 09:32 AM

And where is the fitba that I played and saw,
The fair shou'der charge and the pass aff the wa?
There was no 4-3-3, there was nae 4-2-4,
And yer mates didnae kiss ye whenever you'd score.
Is the game, like big Woodburn, suspended sine die.

Another sentimental verse longing for the cludge and ending on a mock-defiant note has been added more recently by Yeucks Anonymous.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHERE IS THE GLASGOW I USED TO KNOW?
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 04 Mar 01 - 05:57 PM

This rather nostalgic song set fellow songwriter Jim McLean off on writing a rather less nostalgic piece on his own childhood. Adam McNaughtan has been known to sing it back-to-back with his own:

WHERE IS THE GLASGOW I USED TO KNOW
(Jim McLean)

Oh where is the Glasgow I used to know
The tenement buildings that let in the snow
Through the cracks in the plaster the cold wind did blow
And the water we washed in was forty below

We read by the gaslight, we had nae T.V.
Hot porridge for breakfast, cold porridge for tea
And some weans had ricketts, some had T.B.
Ay that's what the Glasgow of old means tae me

Noo the neighbours complained if we played wi' a ba'
Or 'Hunch cuddy hunch' against somebody's wa'
If we played 'Kick the can' we'd tae watch for the law
For the polis made sure we did sweet bugger a'

You've heard o' the closet that stood on the stair
Oors had tae accommodate fifteen or mair
And the wee broken windae let in the fresh air
I sometimes went inside, ay but just for a dare

And we huddled together tae keep warm in bed
We'd nae sheets nor blankets, just old coats instead
And a big balaclava tae cover yer head
And 'God but it's cold' was the only prayer said

Noo there's some say that tenement living was swell
That's the wally close toffs who had doors wi' a bell
Two rooms and a kitchen and a bathroom as well
While the rest o' us lived in a single-end hell

So wipe off that smile when you talk o' the days
That you lived in the Gorbals or Cowcaddens' way
Remember the mice and the rats you once chased
For tenement living was a bloody disgrace

If you're interested in the reality behind this piece read Molly Weir's childhood memoirs (fairly humorous) or Ralph Glasser's 'Growing Up in the Gorbals' (fairly grim).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: GUEST,Landlady's Daughter
Date: 04 Mar 01 - 06:19 PM

Is Adam McNaughtan still alive and well? He has written many fine neighborhood songs and I would like to get his permission to use his "Height Starvation Song" (Piece Song) for a book I am editing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 02:02 AM

I returned to Glasgow last July on family business and was surprised and delighted to obtain a re-released double CD of Adam McNaughtan's in Border's record store in Buchanan St. It's called "The Words I Used To Know" which is a repackaging of "The Glasgow I Used To Know" and "Words,Words,Words" which had been issued back in the 60's. All his great songs are there,especially his very clever "Oor Hamlet",a 3.5 minute song/rap on the play which he had composed for his senior English class (he was a teacher by profession.)It is on the Greentrax label and its catalogue number is CDTRAX 195D.Hope this is useful.By the way,both versions of "Where is the Glasgow?" are valid; it depended on your financial circumstances- as a very young lad, the terrible tenements lifestyle was mine,as a teenager,the "wally closes" experience was also mine.Nostalgia can play terrible tricks on the memory!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: GUEST,duart
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 02:03 AM

sorry folks,the previous message is mine ;I forgot to sign in.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: Dita
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 02:48 AM

Adam is still alive and well. Until recently he had an antiquarian book shop in Parnie Street, Glasgow, but it's now closed. He still sings with the singers collective Stramash (was singing in Glasgow on Saturday night, I was working but my other half was out to play). You probably, could contact him via Greentrax, Landlady's daughter.
love, john

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 05:48 PM

Write to him at 46 Kingslynn Drive, Glasgow G44 4JH. Telephone [phone].

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: GUEST,Landlady's Daughter
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 07:47 PM

Thanks very much about the contact information for Adam.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: Hillheader
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 03:50 PM

Thanks guys.

I am new to this site, but will be back. It is the most informative and dynamic site I have seen yet. I never though the question would be answered, never mind in such depth and so quickly.

Thanks again.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 06:27 PM

Davebhoy, what made you doubt us? :-) I do hope you'll be back often. And in case nobody has yet said it: Welcome to the Mudcat!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 07 Mar 01 - 01:38 PM

If anyone is interested, "Words I Used To Know" is available at CAMSCO Music. 2-CD set, $18.98.

800/548-FOLK

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: davidkiddnet
Date: 07 May 04 - 03:44 PM

I searched the database for "Jorrie", and up you came. I'm researching a song I heard in Edinburgh in 1986 that I think came from Glasgow.
"Wee Johnnie's lost his jorrie/doon the stank/Doon the Broomie Law"
The singer telt me that the JORRIE that fell through the grate and down the drain was a MARBLE [or taw]. Is this correct? Is a jorrie a marble?

I also believe that "Doon the Broomie Law" describes a hill covered with the plant Scots broom, but is/was there an actual street named Broomie Law in Glasgow?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: Megan L
Date: 07 May 04 - 03:55 PM

David a jorrie in my time was a clay marble as oposed to a glassie the normal glass marble. The broomielaw was the place in Glasgow where the steamers left from, its been many a year since i was there but it runs in mind that it lay west of the Jamaica Bridge.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 07 May 04 - 04:02 PM

There is some discussion of the song in this thread: Wee Willie's Lost His Marley/Geordie's Penker. Mostly variants from Northern Ireland, though the Scottish and Northern English forms are touched on as well. See also the DT file: Geordie's Penker.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 07 May 04 - 04:02 PM

Jorrie = jaurrie = jarrie = made from same material as a jar = glass.

The Broomielaw runs as stated. Mentioned The Bleacher Lsas of Kelvinhaugh and other Glasgow songs. Only boat to be seen there these days is the old paddle stamer the Waverley.

The song also lives in NorthEast England, where the jaurrie disappears Doon the Dooble Raw = down the double row [of houses.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: Megan L
Date: 07 May 04 - 04:10 PM

Ewan I still have a couple of clay jars sitting in my kitchen the bigger ones are fine for holding all those tools that clutter up the kitchen drawer.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: davidkiddnet
Date: 07 May 04 - 05:43 PM

Man, I learned more in fifteen minutes from Mudcatters and their links than I could by going to a University. Thanks a lot.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 07 May 04 - 07:45 PM

Adam McNaughtan is still in fine fettle as a solo artiste as well: he was musician in residence at a recent "Singers' Gathering" in Livingston and gave 2 very interesting talks as well as some very entertaining singing. He is guest artiste at folk night at Balerno Bowling Club on Tuesday 29th June at 8pm (Balerno is in SW Edinburgh, just off the A70, bowling club is in the centre of the village)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow...?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 May 04 - 10:19 AM

Good to hear that "Adam McNaughtan is still in fine fettle." He is a fine urban poet, and demonstrates a wry sense of humor.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow That I Used to Know?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 07:33 PM

Sorry, I got the date wrong: because of holidays etc, Adam's on in Balerno on the 22nd June, not 29th. Other details, as above, are correct.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req:Where is the goosedubs.
From:
Date: 24 Oct 04 - 03:44 PM

Do YOU have any info on this area.
                            THNX.

Subject: Great website.
From:
Date: 24 Oct 04 - 03:56 PM

Have just spent a fantastic Sunday afternoon reading all the letters and Info about GLASGOW.I came across this page by accident, to all
who have contributed a heartfelt thank`s, you have taken 50+yrs. off
my age.
                        THNX.
                              PAT.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow That I Used to Know?
From: Blissfully Ignorant
Date: 25 Oct 04 - 12:27 AM

Glasgow is a city of contrasts- on one hand it's one of the most friendly, cultured, and generally loveable cities you'll ever see. The variety of people who exist in (relative) harmony is astounding. On the other hand it's dirty, in places deeply impoverished, and as my mother sagely warned me as a child, you have to watch out for strange men hiding in the bushes of the parks. Oh, and don't mention the wrong football team to the wrong person...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow That I Used to Know?
From: Hillheader
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 03:43 AM

Does anyone have a midi file for "Where is The Glasgow"? I want to include it in as background music in a presentation I'm preparing.

Cheers in advance

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow That I Used to K
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 07:04 AM

It's the same tune as 'Hauling the Nets'


G

here

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow That I Used to Know?
From: An Buachaill Caol Dubh
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 10:08 AM

Can anyone remember when Prince Charles came up to Glasgow from somewhere in England and delivered a (spoken) version of this particular song? I think his reason was something to do with architecture, urban regeneration, deprivation. It was priceless to hear those foreign tones enunciating how he used to buy pies and broken biscuits at a wee corner shop. How anyone restrained laughter at the line, "How's yer maw gettin oan?" I can't think.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow That I Used to Know?
From: Kiss Me Slow Slap Me Quick
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 11:15 AM

I am sure he would know the meaning of the phrase and was expecting an outburst of mirth.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Where is the Glasgow That I Used to Know?
From: Hillheader
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 02:54 PM

Thanks Goik

Very much appreciated