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You may talk about your Lancers or your Irish Fusiliers,
The Aberdeen Militias or the Queen's Own Volunteers,
Or any other regiment that's lying far awa',
Come give to me the tartan of the Gallant Forty Twa.
And strolling through the green fields on a summer's day,
Watching all the country girls working at the hay,
I really was delighted and he stole me heart awa',
When I saw him in the tartan of the Gallant Forty Twa.
Oh, I never will forget the day his regiment marched past,
The pipes they played a lively tune but my heart was aghast;
He turned around and smiled farewell and then from far awa',
He waved to me the tartan of the Gallant Forty Twa.
And strolling through the green fields on a summer's day,
Watching all the country girls working at the hay,
I really was delighted and he stole me heart awa',
When I saw him in the tartan of the Gallant Forty Twa.
Once again I hear the music of the pipers from afar,
They tramped and tramped the weary men returning from the war;
And as they nearer drew I brushed a woeful tear awa',
To see my bonnie laddie in the Gallant Forty Twa.
Hey, strolling through the green fields on a summer's day,
Watching all the country girls working at the hay,
I really was delighted and he stole me heart awa',
When I saw him in the tartan of the Gallant Forty Twa.
And strolling through the green fields on a summer's day,
Watching all the country girls working at the hay,
I really was delighted and he stole me heart awa',
When I saw him in the tartan of the Gallant Forty Twa.
Arranged by Ryan's Fancy (Times To Remember ©1973, Audat Records).
See more songs by Ryan's Fancy.
Note excerpted from the National Library of Scotland archive:
The 'Forty-Twa' is the 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment of Foot, more commonly known as the 'Black Watch'. It was established in 1739, and first mustered in 1740 under John, the Earl of Crawford, at Aberfeldy, to be on constant guard for securing the peace in the Highlands and to watch upon the braes (hills). The name 'Black Watch' comes from the dark tartans it's members wear, which were originally to distinguish them from regular troops who wore red uniforms.
