Lyr Req/Add: Pack Up Your Tools and Go

Subject: Lyr Req: Pack up your Tools and go
From: Alba
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 10:44 PM

Does anyone have the Lyrics to this Song or the recording itself?
It was recorded by Robin Hall and Jimmie Mac Gregor in the early 70's.
If memory serves me right it was side two of a 'single'/'EP' called "Unity creates Strength"
I'd be grateful if anyone can help me out.
Thanks..lots:>)

Jude

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Pack up your Tools and go
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 04:48 PM

The song is mentioned in this discography and it confirms that your information is correct, but I couldn't find any additional information.

Subject: Lyr Add: PACK YOUR TOOLS AND GO (Jimmie Macgregor)
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 06:33 PM

From the LP 'Unity Creates Strength' (1972) (If you find any mistakes please point them out. It was taken down a long time ago.):

PACK YOUR TOOLS AND GO
(Jimmie Macgregor / Trad)

Monday morning early by the clock
The Clydeside men were working on the dock
When the gaffer comes round, he says, Bad news
The Upper Clyde is bound to close
Pack your tools and go
For the word's been said, the yards are dead
The big old gates are closing, so pack your tools and go

The word's gone round in London town
The yards all round are closing down
You're all on the dole, so no more booze
And no more money for the kids' new shoes
Pack your tools and go
For it's just too bad, but you've all been had
As your fathers were before you, so pack your tools and go

Then along came a man whose name was Reid
Says he, We'll win if we keep the heid
For we've got the brains and the old know-how
We won't bow down and we won't kow-tow
Pick up your tools, let's go
For we'll make our way without their say
And keep the hammers ringing, pick up your tools, let's go

Here's a word for the men down south
You're big in the belly and big in the mouth
You live far away and you don't give a damn
For the life and pride of a working man
So pack your tools and go
For we're here to say you've had your day
It's time that you were leaving, so pack your tools and go

You're on the run, your day is done
So pack your tools and go

Tune: Drill Ye Tarriers Drill

[1990:] Written for the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders work-in of 1971. [...] When Jimmie sang this song [at Ewan McColl's 70th birthday party], and reached the line about Jimmy Reid, the audience hissed. Jimmie pointed out that, while understanding the response, Jimmy Reid's involvement in UCS was a historical fact. Then he wrote alternative lines for the song. I've given the original here. (McVicar, One Singer One Song 70)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Pack up your Tools and go
From: Alba
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 08:52 PM

Thanks so much Susanne and Thanks to you too Jim for the Link.

Those are the words I was looking for:)
Brilliant.
Thanks again, very much appreciated.
Jude

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Pack Up Your Tools and Go
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 07:04 PM

Just in case anyone is interested in Jimmy Reid and the reasons for the hisses:

Ex-Stalinist Jimmy Reid supports Scottish Socialist Party (World Socialist Web Site, by Steve James, 1 Dec 1998) for some info on the split between Jimmy Reid and his former comrades
Heritage & Culture, Great Scots, Jimmy Reid
Heritage & Culture Video Archive, Jimmy Reid
Jimmy Reid (Wikipedia)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Pack Up Your Tools and Go
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 01 Jul 12 - 05:42 AM

Just to add that the lyrics were set to the tradition tune of Drill ye Tarriers Drill.