Song of the Clyde
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
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.