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Blue Scotland Navy

by eddie cairney

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1.
Johnnie Armstrong Blues 04:38
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Johnnie Armstrong Blues Verse 1 Johnnie was a rogue and a reiver And Armstrong was his name He would look ye in the eye asif there’s nothin’ wrang” Though the black rent was his game Verse 2 Frae the Tyne ‘cross tae Gilnockie Everyone was on his books He would tell the honest folks I’ll protect ye life an’ limb ‘Cause the world is full o’ crooks Chorus Johnny was a well dressed insurance man Selling products to the nervous With a well established business giving peace of mind His card read “Johnnie Armstrong at your service” Verse 3 Now Johnnie was the best dressed man in town His dress sense never let him down Someone told James up in Edinburgh town The grave news made the wee man frown Verse 4 King James thought he was a snappy dresser In truth he was a scruffy little man When news came through about Johnny’s style Well it didn’t make the king a fan Chorus Verse 5 King James was a sly little trite He didn’t do things as honest as he might He invited Johnnie to a day away He said “I’ve organised a hunting party” Verse 6 He said Johnnie bring your friends and you’ll be safe Just come as you are don’t even have to shave He said we’ll have a good time and we’ll all behave But he didn’t tell Johnnie he was digging his grave Chorus Verse 7 Now Johnnie showed up and he was dressed in style We Jimmy grabbed the lot o’ them and put them on trial He said I find you guilty don’t appeal you’ve no hope You’ve been convicted of crimes against the king’s wardrobe Verse 8 They were all strung up on the trees outside Johnnie said oh flip we’ve been taken for a ride King James wandered back to Edinburgh town Where he continued the practice of dressing down Bridge Johnnie Armstrong was wranged On the day that he was hanged T’was a sad day for the Borders When the King gave out his orders Fashion stopped and went away, Garb went downhill and turned to grey But every dog must have his day, And wee Jimmy got his from Solway Chorus
2.
Big Titan 03:21
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Big Titan Verse 1 He is the custodian o the Clyde And he finds it very hard tae hide Eiwiz was the biggest kid on the block That is oor big Titan Verse 2 John Brown & Co. looked up at him wi pride They said we’re glad we’ve got ye on oor side Need ye fur the big stuff that’s for sure Then they raised a glass tae oor big Titan Verse 3 He hoisted the big guns on tae the Hood For that job other cranes were just no good They said “come on big man show us yer strength” Then they raised their hats tae oor big Titan Verse 4 Liked tae be involved wi royalty Got their engines on without a sway Then he lent a hand wi Britania And they raised a cheer tae oor big Titan Verse 5 Noo big Titan’s auld and ower the hill But he can still provide us wi a thrill Mini pubs and bungee jumps and crackin’ views That is oor big Titan
3.
Greyfriar's Bobby 05:02
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Greyfriar’s Bobby Verse 1 On a cauld Winter’s night Auld Jock breathed his last Nights spent in the Cowgate were now in the past Where the constable and his wee dog had trodden a path Now they would be seen nae mare Verse 2 A familiar sight on the nightshift were they The wee hielan’ terrier and auld Jock Gray They worked by night and slept by day Now Auld Jock has gone to rest Verse 3 In Greyfriar’s Kirk yard he was put in the ground The mourners all stood there huddled around But no one heard the whimper from the tiny wee hound As he mourned all alone for his master Verse 4 When James Brown got tae the Kirk yard the very next day He found wee Bobby on the grave where Jock lay He said ye wee rascal shoo shoo go away We don’t allow dogs in this graveyard Verse 5 Well Bobby was persistent he kept coming back And every time he was chased of he would just back track Till finally James said “ye might as well mak Yer hame here; ye ken yer ain mind, I’ll grant ye” Verse 6 Year after year wee Bobby would be There in a’ weathers just him and loyalty In a graveyard that had become virtually cat free They named him Greyfriar’s Bobby Solo Verse 7 During a hot Summer distemper broke out The council said a’ dogs must hae a muzzle on their snout They arrested Mr Trail and took him tae the court They said “nae licence we’re puttin’ doon yer dog Verse 8 Sir William Chambers Provost and good man Said I canna stand by and no lift a hand He said Greyfriar’s Kirk yard is council land So he put his hand in his pocket and bought a licence Verse 9 For fourteen lang years Bobby kept the faith That had been the bond between them bathe Till the end he never left his master’s grave And became Scotland’s most famous doggie
4.
The linoleum blues 05:28
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The linoleum blues Verse 1 On the north shore o’ the River Forth Stands a lang toon from where did come forth Gordon Brown and Adam Smith Apart fae that its claim tae fame Was a man by the name o’ Michael Nairn He brought linoleum tae Scotland Chorus The smell o’ the oil As it comes thru the boil Wi an olfact’ry greet As it wafts doon the street Tae clathe Scotland’s flaars An’ tak’ wa the cares Nae mare scrub ‘n push, Sair knees, scrubbin’ brush Verse 2 The company prospered and did alright ‘came part o Scotland’s industrial might Became a household name El Nino came nae mare fish meil Raised the price o’ linseed oil Writing was on the wa’ Chorus Verse 3 Fashions changed, PVC was born Plastic flooring became the norm Factory was closed and mothballed Attempts were made to save the site Almost a library but not quite Then she was torn down anyway Chorus
5.
Wi ba blues 02:50
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Wi ba blues Verse 1 The wi ba is sic a bonnie wee thing Sae clean and dappled and shiny Sae proud ee’sel right oot o’ the bag Lookin’ forward tae a fine day Verse 2 In the fresh air and the warmth o’ the sun Feelin’ guilty fur bein’ a wee skiver But his innocent world comes crashin’ doon When ee’s hit by a muckle big driver Chorus The wi ba the wi ba Skelp’d aboot and smack’d aboot and dump’d in a hole The wi ba the wi ba Thinking’ “a’ this brutality is bad fur ma soul” Verse 3 The scared wi thing flies up tae the sky Thinkin’ “oh my god what a helluva belt” Surely there’s a law ‘gainst this type o’ thing Wida gien it a miss if a huda been telt Verse 4 As he climbs way up intae the sky Figures oot this guy’s must be a sado As he climbs up higher and higher still Below he can see a tornado Chorus Verse 5 He looks ahead and sees the sea He thinks tae ‘imsel’ “a’ve had enough Am goin’ in an’ a canna swim” Instead he clatters doon intae the rough Verse 6 Lyin’ there dazed in god knows where Ee’s heid is spinnin’ frae bein’ thump’d Ee gits anither pastin’ then ontae the green Then finally he is duly dump’d Finale The per wee thing dis’na ken it but This is gonna happen another 17 times Afore the bag is shut
6.
The Bell Rock Lighthouse Blues 04:22
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Wi ba blues Verse 1 The wi ba is sic a bonnie wee thing Sae clean and dappled and shiny Sae proud ee’sel right oot o’ the bag Lookin’ forward tae a fine day Verse 2 In the fresh air and the warmth o’ the sun Feelin’ guilty fur bein’ a wee skiver But his innocent world comes crashin’ doon When ee’s hit by a muckle big driver Chorus The wi ba the wi ba Skelp’d aboot and smack’d aboot and dump’d in a hole The wi ba the wi ba Thinking’ “a’ this brutality is bad fur ma soul” Verse 3 The scared wi thing flies up tae the sky Thinkin’ “oh my god what a helluva belt” Surely there’s a law ‘gainst this type o’ thing Wida gien it a miss if a huda been telt Verse 4 As he climbs way up intae the sky Figures oot this guy’s must be a sado As he climbs up higher and higher still Below he can see a tornado Chorus Verse 5 He looks ahead and sees the sea He thinks tae ‘imsel’ “a’ve had enough Am goin’ in an’ a canna swim” Instead he clatters doon intae the rough Verse 6 Lyin’ there dazed in god knows where Ee’s heid is spinnin’ frae bein’ thump’d Ee gits anither pastin’ then ontae the green Then finally he is duly dump’d Finale The per wee thing dis’na ken it but This is gonna happen another 17 times Afore the bag is shut
7.
1320 boogie 06:02
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8.
Watson-Watt 03:54
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Watson Watt Verse 1 Born in the town of Brechin, a graduate of Dundee He helped Professor Peddie, in the university Bill said to Bob you’re a bright lad, I can see you going far So Bob developed radar and helped to win the war Chorus Watson Watt, Watson Watt A modest hero in his own right Watson Watt, Watson Watt Ensured the home guard never had to fight Watson Watt, Watson Watt Became a legend in the fight for right He saw the Lufwaffe when they were still out of sight Verse 2 Inspired by the heavyside layer, he built the first squegger Helped by the CRO, he dealt old Adolph a telling blow Robert was a practical Scot, in his bloodline was James Watt Dismissed perfection just happy to get job done Chorus Solo Verse 3 While living in Canada, he was driving in his car He was clocked by a young speed cop, and instructed by him to stop It never was his intention, to be caught by his own invention And he said “if I’d known you were going to do this I doubt if I would have invented it” Chorus He saw the Lufwaffe when they were still in France
9.
Deep fried blues 02:36
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Deep fried blues Verse 1 At the futt o the hill doon by the sea There stands a wee shop that frys things fur ye They dae fish suppers and that kind o’ thing Does the job when yer fou and singing Refrain And a’ the smells that waft oot frae the wee shop’s front door Will mak’ yer hunger pangs play up and feel really sore Wi’ a’ the big hotels servin’ culinary gems While lookin’ doon their noses at yer pickled ingens Chorus Furgit aboot a yer Blumenthalls Ramsays an’ Olivers and a’ their pals Cause nane has created The genius that is The deep fried Mars Bar Solo Chorus Verse 2 A sugar hit on which you can rely Encased in the comfort o’ a battered fry Be adventurous ask for vinegar An’ you’ll get a sweet’n sour deep fried mars bar Refrain Chorus x2
10.
A very typical Dutchman blues 03:22
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A very typical Dutchman blues Verse 1 Lived in an octagon tae stop the fechtin’ Far frae flat hame Beyond here was the deep grey And Orkney Verse 2 Jan de Groote was given rights fur a ferry Far frae flat hame He could’ve stayed put and saved the pain Was he insane Chorus Jan de Groot was a typical Dutchman Wi the North Sea in his blood Abel Tasman on a smaller scale Aye the seas were tough as hell We ees kin he staked a claim Tae the last toon ‘fore the main Blazed a trail for Calmac Ferries Way back then Verse 3 Technically some o the Dutch are livin’ Under the sea Puts things in perspective Explains the man’s directive Comprehensively Verse 4 He coulda ventured south tae Spanish costa Far fra flat hame He coulda ended up on a Spanish bonfire All on his ain Chorus

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released October 19, 2015

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eddie cairney Scotland, UK

Eddie Cairney is one of the country's most prolific songwriters and Scotland's best kept songwriting secret with 99 albums to date and another 100 plus in the pipeline. He has written new music to almost all of Robert Burns works totalling over 900 new songs. He writes in a great many genres, from folk to orchestral. He is also one of Scotland's most accomplished rock/blues piano players. ... more

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