AKA | |
First Published | 1928 |
Writer/composer | Will Fyffe | Roud | RN24310 |
Music Hall Performers | Will Fyffe |
Folk performances | Collected from the singing of: Douglas, Charlie; Scotland : Roxburghsire; 1956 Modern performances Alex Sutherland Singers, Andy Stewart etc |
From Francis and Day's Album of Will Fyffe songs Now I've been away for a long, long time Across the roving sea. My father was a soldier lad So a sailor I would be. Now I've had some sensations While away across the foam, But the greatest thrill in all the lot Is when your're sailing home. Aye, when you're sailing up the Clyde, Sailin up the Clyde, Back to bonnie Scotland Where your ain folk died*, There's a lump comes in your throat And a tear ye canna hide, When you're rollin back to Scotland And your ain fireside. Now my pals came down to see me off On the day I sailed away. They brought a flask of whiskey That was made in U.S.A. I said, "Goodbye, good luck, old pals. I'll see you in September" I took one drink and then fell down And the next thing I remember. *Sheet music has "died" most seem to sing "bide"
Sailing up the Clyde was written and performed by Will Fyffe (1885- 1947), the man who wrote I belong to Glasgow. Fyffe was the son of a former ship’s carpenter: in his early career he was a versatile actor, but later concentrated on character comedy, appearing in the Halls and various films.
The song was first sung on the British stage in May 1928 at the Victoria Palace, Pimlico (The Stage, 31 May 1928).
The song was collected in 1956 by Francis Collinson and Ian MacLean Calum from the singing of Charlie Douglas
Will Fyffe sings it:
Sources:
- Entries in the Roud Indexes at the Vaughn Williams Memorial Library: https://archives.vwml.org/search/all:single[folksong-broadside-books]/0_50/all/score_desc/extended-roudNo_tr%3A24310
- Kilgarrif Sing Us
- Lyrics and Sheet Music: Francis and Day’s Album of Will Fyffe songs (1953)
Last Updated on June 10, 2023 by John Baxter | Published: June 10, 2023