Tramps and Hawkers Songtext
von Ewan McLennan

Come all ye tramps and hawker-lads
an′ gaitherers o' bla′
That tramp the country roun' and roun',
come listen aine and a′
I′ll tell to you a roving tale,
off places I have been
Far up into the snowy north,
or sooth by Gretna Green.

Oftimes I've laughed unto myself
When trudgin′ on the road
My tore rags round my blistered feet
My face as brown as a toad's
Wi′ lums o' cake an′ tattie scones
Wi' whangs o' braxy ham
No giein a thought frae whaur I come
An′ less tae whaur I′m gang


I've done my share o′ humpin' wi′
The dockers o' the Clyde
I′ve helped in Buckie trawlers haul
The herrin' o'er the side
I helped to build the michty bridge
That spans the busy Forth
And wi′ mony an Angus fairmer′s trick
I plooed the bony earth

I'm happy in the summertime
Beneath the bright blue sky
No thinkin′ in the mornin'
Where at night I′ll hae to lie
In barn or byre or anywhere
Dossin' out among the hay
And if the weather treats me right
I′m happy every day

I've been by bonny Gallowa',
an′ often roun′ Stranraer
My business leads me anywhere,
I travel near an' far
I′ve got that rovin' notion
I wouldna like tae loss
For It′s my daily fare
an' as much′ll pay my doss.


I think I'll gang tae Paddy's Lan′,
I′m makin' up my mind
For Scotland′s greatly altered noo,
I canna raise the wind
But if I can trust in Providence,
if Providence should prove true
I'll sing ye′s a' of Erin′s Isle
when I come back to you.