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about

What does one say about the archetypal Scottish bus-conductress? Maggie Blair, in Tam's song, has it all, including a devastating turn of phrase calculated to leave even the most articulate complainer speechless as her bus accelerates
away from the busstop - just too fast to catch. Still, personality she certainly does have, and as the song says, "I love her just the same."
Learned by Tam from John Watt of Dunfermline, in Fife, who wrote the song.

Glossary: Tam's own inimitable translation of the chorus goes something like this: "She is only a bus conductress from the town of Kelty in Fife;
She will not heed the counsel of others; "Oh, be deceased, go immerse your head in boiling water, or I will cancel your travelling pass on two occasions!'
Her father is unemployed; her mother, however has a great deal of work;
She is only a Kelty bus conductress, but I am nevertheless enamoured of her »

Nip yer fag - extinquish your cigarette
"The People's Friend" - Scottish equivalent of "Ladies Home Journal", but worse!
Butlins - famous holiday camp chain
Bing - coal heap or tip

lyrics

I've travelled o'er this country, from shore to shining shore,
From the slums of dear old Glasgow to Rothesay by the shore
But in all these far-flung places, there's none that can compare
Wi my lily o'Glenfinnan; she's my bonny Maggie Blair.

Chorus
She's just a Kelty clippie; she'll no tak' nae advice;
"Ach drap deid, awa ' boil yer heid, or I'll punch your ticket twice!"
Her father's just a waster; her mother's on the game;
She's just a Kelty clippie, but I love her just the same.

I remember on the eight-fifteen, that night o’ romantic bliss,
I said, "Ach Mag, just nip yer fag and give us a wee bit kiss."
She didnae tak'it kindly, she didnae like my chaff
And being a contrary kind of bird, she said, "COME ON, GET AFF!"

She hasnae got nae culture; she drives me roon' the bend,
Sitting every night in the big armchair, reading "The People’s Friend."
Her lapels are fu 'o' badges, from Butlins doon at Ayre;
She goes to the bingo every night, wi the rollers in her hair.

But things is a wee bit better noo, - I've gone and bought the ring
I won it frae Jim, at the pitch and toss, doon by the Lindsay bing.
Wi’ her wee black hat and her ticket machine, my heart she does ensnare;
She's my lily o'Glenfinnan, she's my bonny Maggie Blair.

credits

from This Side Of The Ocean, released December 28, 2021
Tam - Lead vocals • Alistair - Jews harp, chorus • David - Kazoo, chorus • Grit - Tenor banjo, chorus • Jim - Drums, chorus • Laurence - fiddle, chorus • lan - chorus • Ken - bass, guitar

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about

Laurence Stevenson image

Laurence Stevenson Brighton, Ontario

Having been born in Scotland and moved to Canada in my high school years, my life has followed parallel (but musically related) paths.
A career in radio, firstly as a radio news tech then a sound effects guy to creator of the CBC Radio Experimental Audio Room and finally as an international award winning radio producer for the popular show, Outfront, has been tracked alongside a life as a fiddler. ... more

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