Tune Req: Butchers of Glasgow (Matt McGinn)

Subject: Tune Req: Butchers of Glasgow
From: robinia
Date: 17 Apr 03 - 10:37 PM

The words to this song are in the Matt McGinn songbook (McGinn of the Calton) but unexplainedly without melody or indication of one. Can anyone help out? It starts out,

The butchers of Glasgow have all got their pride
But they'll tell you that Willie's the prince
For Willie the butcher has slaughtered his wife
And sold her for mutton and mince.

and goes on from there . . . .

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Butchers of Glasgow
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Apr 03 - 02:58 AM

Hi, Robinia - I haven't heard this song, and don't have the tune. It sounds intriguing. could you post the lyrics for the rest of us?
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: BUTCHERS OF GLASGOW (Matt McGinn)
From: robinia
Date: 18 Apr 03 - 12:03 PM

Here are the rest of the lyrics (still tuneless):

It's a terrible story to have to be telt
And a terrible thing to be done
For what kind of a man is it slaughters his wife
And sells her a shilling a pun.

For lifting his knife and ending her life
And hanging her high like a sheep
You widnae object but you widnae expect
He would sell the poor woman so cheap.

But the Gallowgate folk were delighted
It didnae cause them any tears
They swore that Willie's wife Mary
Was the best meat he'd sold them in years.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Butchers of Glasgow (McGinn)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Apr 03 - 01:22 PM

Robinia-

Well, that one will clear the air at our little 3rd Friday gatherings at the Sidedoor Coffeehouse. Good old Matt McGinn. Too bad he's no longer with us. Thanks for posting the lyrics.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Butchers of Glasgow (McGinn)
From: Stewie
Date: 19 Apr 03 - 03:24 AM

A good'un. Thanks for posting it. This will bring the thread back to the top and, hopefully, someone will supply a tune for it - albeit it should be fine as a recitation.

Cheers, Stewie.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Butchers of Glasgow (McGinn)
From: Dita
Date: 19 Apr 03 - 04:29 AM

I'm afraid it never had a tune. It is a poem. Matt, as well as singing, told jokes and performed recitations (poems). This is one of them.

The section in "McGinn of the Calton" is titled "Songs and Poems" although only this and the "Big Effin' Bee" are included.

Although his records for Xtra were all songs, his later albums included a number of his poems.

You'll just have to provide your own, in the traditional fashion of fitting another tune to it, or witing your own. Matt wouldn't have minded, He was pleased to have his stuff performed.

love, john

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Butchers of Glasgow (McGinn)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Apr 03 - 06:27 AM

It almost works to the tune of Dick Darby.
Giok

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Butchers of Glasgow (McGinn)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Apr 03 - 08:30 AM

Giok- Good choice for a working tune. Now we needs a chorus!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Butchers of Glasgow (McGinn)
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 19 Apr 03 - 02:33 PM

It will, of course, sing well to any single jig--Larry o'Gaff, Top of Cork Road, Haste to the wedding etc.