The Song of the Clyde is a song by R.Y. Bell and Ian Gourley.

Popularised by Kenneth McKellar (singer) (although covered by various Scottish singers) it is an affectionate tribute to the River Clyde in Scotland, name-checking the majority of towns and villages on its banks. Although its opening verse includes the line From Glasgow to Greenock with towns on each side, the song includes references to Lanark so fair on the river's upper reaches and Arran on the Firth of Clyde's southernmost outflow. The penultimate verse is a tongue twister meant to be sung in Glasgow vernacular.

The song (McKellar's version) was used on the opening credits of the 1963 film Billy Liar and at the opening of Radio Clyde in 1973.

In a British House of Commons debate in 1994, Labour Member of Parliament Jimmy Hood (Clydesdale) recalled the song in a debate about coal mining, however refrained from acceding to members' requests that he sing it.^[1]

It was once parodied by Stanley Baxter, who played "Kenneth McColour" singing "The Pong of the Clyde".

Clyde FC[edit]

Scottish Football League side Clyde F.C. play Song of the Clyde before the team runs out onto the pitch, though this version has different lyrics. The lyrics were written by local singer Fraser Bruce. The club, originally based in Glasgow and then in Rutherglen, are named after the river which was close to their grounds (located in Bridgeton and Shawfield).

The lyrics for Clyde's version of the song are:

I sing of a team that fills me with pride

The name of the team is the Bully Wee Clyde

Of all Scottish teams they are dearest tae me

They've won everywhere frae Dumfries tae Dundee

They've beaten the Celtic, The Hibs and the Hearts

The Rangers and Thistle, they've swept frae the park

So come down tae Shawfield/Broadwood*, you'll know I've not lied

When I tell you the greatest of teams is the CLYDE.

Chorus
Oh The Clyde, The Clyde, the Bully Wee Clyde
The name of them thrills me and fills me with pride
And I'm satisfied what e'er may betide
The greatest of teams is the Bully Wee Clyde.

I'll be doon at Shawfield/Broadwood* come hail or come shine

Supporting the team I will always call mine

Whether winning or losing, if up or if down

You'll still hear me shouting all over the town

I'll follow them East and I'll follow them West

Tae the North or the South still its "my teams the best"

So come down tae Shawfield/Broadwood* you'll know I've not lied

When I tell you the greatest of teams is the Clyde.

Chorus

The year we first started, Eighteen Seventy Eight

Little did they know that we'd soon become great

All over the country we'd spread far and wide

The name and the colours o' the Bully Wee Clyde

we've taken some glory, been down and been up

Three times we have taken oor ain Scottish Cup

There's no one can tell what the future will be

But as lang as I live it will be Clyde for me.

Brown, Kirk and Hickie, Beaton, Falloon, Weir

Robertson, Noble, Martin, Wallace, Gillies

Was the team that won the cup in 39

And how they did thrill us

Hewkins, Murphy, Haddock, Granville, Anderson

Then there was Davie Laing
Divers, Robertson, Hill, Brown and Ring

And in 55 they did the same

McCulloch, Murphy, Haddock, Walters, Finlay, Clinton, Herd,

Currie, Robbie, Ring

With a Coyle goal in 58

Did the very same thing

So Shawfield Park/Broadwood Park* to every Jean and Jock

Extends a welcome that is far and wide

Lets join in the song

Of the Bully Wee Clyde

Chorus

The lyrics included Shawfield Stadium at the time when the lyrics were first written in the 1970s. When the song was re-recorded in 2001, Shawfield was replaced with Broadwood, Clyde's new stadium.

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• the lyrics