THE PORTREE KID LYRICS AND GUITAR CHORDS
2/4 (Words J. W. Hill (Parody), Music Stan Jones, performed by the Corries) A funny Scottish song. *Slàinte means health, used a lot to say Cheers .
Introduction:
Music has been an integral part of human culture for centuries, serving as a medium for storytelling, entertainment, and expression of emotions. One such song that has captured the hearts of many is 'The Portree Kid'. This song, with its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, has become an iconic representation of Scottish folk music. It has stood the test of time, resonating with listeners from various generations and cultures. In this thesis, we will delve deeper into the history, meaning, and impact of 'The Portree Kid' song.
History:
The origins of 'The Portree Kid' can be traced back to the late 19th century in the Isle of Skye, Scotland. It was composed by Kenneth MacLeod, a Scottish songwriter and poet, who was inspired by the beauty and ruggedness of the Scottish landscapes. MacLeod's lyrics and melody were initially passed down through oral tradition, with slight variations in each rendition. However, it was not until the 1960s that the song gained widespread popularity, with the rise of the folk music revival movement in Scotland.
Meaning:
'The Portree Kid' tells the story of a young boy who leaves his hometown of Portree, on the Isle of Skye, to seek his fortune in the city. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the boy's journey, from the bustling streets of the city to the quiet hills of his homeland. The song's chorus, 'Oh the Portree Kid, he's far from home, far from the hills and the sea foam,' reflects the bittersweet nostalgia of leaving one's roots behind. The song also touches upon the universal theme of the struggle to find one's place in the world, and the longing for home and familiar surroundings.
Musical and Cultural Impact:
'The Portree Kid' has not only captivated listeners with its poignant lyrics but also with its melodic and rhythmic structure. The song is typically performed in a traditional Scottish folk style, with a slow tempo and emphasis on the vocals. The use of traditional Scottish instruments such as the fiddle, accordion, and bagpipes adds to the song's cultural significance. Over the years, 'The Portree Kid' has been covered by various artists, both in Scotland and internationally, further cementing its place as a classic Scottish folk song.
Moreover, 'The Portree Kid' has become an emblem of Scottish identity and pride, with its lyrics and melody evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing for one's roots. The song has also been used in various cultural events and celebrations, such as the annual Isle of Skye Highland Games, further solidifying its place in Scottish culture.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, 'The Portree Kid' is not just a song, but a cultural and musical treasure of Scotland. Its timeless appeal lies in its ability to evoke strong emotions and connect listeners to their roots. With its rich history, meaningful lyrics, and cultural impact, 'The Portree Kid' will continue to be an enduring symbol of Scottish folk music for generations to come.
Music has been an integral part of human culture for centuries, serving as a medium for storytelling, entertainment, and expression of emotions. One such song that has captured the hearts of many is 'The Portree Kid'. This song, with its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, has become an iconic representation of Scottish folk music. It has stood the test of time, resonating with listeners from various generations and cultures. In this thesis, we will delve deeper into the history, meaning, and impact of 'The Portree Kid' song.
History:
The origins of 'The Portree Kid' can be traced back to the late 19th century in the Isle of Skye, Scotland. It was composed by Kenneth MacLeod, a Scottish songwriter and poet, who was inspired by the beauty and ruggedness of the Scottish landscapes. MacLeod's lyrics and melody were initially passed down through oral tradition, with slight variations in each rendition. However, it was not until the 1960s that the song gained widespread popularity, with the rise of the folk music revival movement in Scotland.
Meaning:
'The Portree Kid' tells the story of a young boy who leaves his hometown of Portree, on the Isle of Skye, to seek his fortune in the city. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the boy's journey, from the bustling streets of the city to the quiet hills of his homeland. The song's chorus, 'Oh the Portree Kid, he's far from home, far from the hills and the sea foam,' reflects the bittersweet nostalgia of leaving one's roots behind. The song also touches upon the universal theme of the struggle to find one's place in the world, and the longing for home and familiar surroundings.
Musical and Cultural Impact:
'The Portree Kid' has not only captivated listeners with its poignant lyrics but also with its melodic and rhythmic structure. The song is typically performed in a traditional Scottish folk style, with a slow tempo and emphasis on the vocals. The use of traditional Scottish instruments such as the fiddle, accordion, and bagpipes adds to the song's cultural significance. Over the years, 'The Portree Kid' has been covered by various artists, both in Scotland and internationally, further cementing its place as a classic Scottish folk song.
Moreover, 'The Portree Kid' has become an emblem of Scottish identity and pride, with its lyrics and melody evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing for one's roots. The song has also been used in various cultural events and celebrations, such as the annual Isle of Skye Highland Games, further solidifying its place in Scottish culture.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, 'The Portree Kid' is not just a song, but a cultural and musical treasure of Scotland. Its timeless appeal lies in its ability to evoke strong emotions and connect listeners to their roots. With its rich history, meaningful lyrics, and cultural impact, 'The Portree Kid' will continue to be an enduring symbol of Scottish folk music for generations to come.
A[Em]man came riding oot the west one [Bm]wild and stormy day
He was [Em]tall and quiet and hungry his [Bm]eyes were smoky grey
He was [Em]lean across the hurdies but his [Bm]shoulders they were [Em]big
The [Am]terror of the hielan' glens that [Em]was the [Bm]Portree [Em]kid
Chorus: He drum [Bm]ho, he drum [Em]hey, The [Am]teuchter that cam frae [Em]Skye.
His [Em]sidekick was an orra’man, and [Bm]oh but he was mean
He was [Em]ca’ed the midnight plough boy, and he [Bm]came frae Aberdeen
He had [Em]twenty seven notches on his [Bm]cromak so they [Em]say
And he [Am]killed a million Indians, way [Em]up in [Bm]Storno[Em]way
[Em]Portree booted in the door he [Bm]sauntered tae the bar
He [Em]poured a shot o crabbies he [Bm]shouted *Slàinte Mhat (Slangevar)
While [Em]midnight was being chatted up by a [Bm]bar room girl called [Em]Pam
Who [Am]said well howdy – stranger, wad ye [Em]buy's a [Bm]baby[Em]cham
Now [Em]over in the corner sat three [Bm]men frae Auchertool
They were [Em]playing games for money in a [Bm]snakes and ladder school
The [Em]fourth man was a southerner who’d [Bm]come up from Mac[Em]merry
He'd [Am]been a river gambler on the [Em]Balla[Bm]chulish [Em]Ferry
Chrous: He drum [Bm]ho, he drum [Em]hey, The [Am]teuchter that cam frae [Em]Skye.
Portree [Em]walked up to the table and he [Bm]shouted 'Shake me in'
He [Em]shoogled on the egg cup, he [Bm]gave the dice a spin
He [Em]threw seven sixes in a row and the [Bm]game was nearly [Em]done
But he [Am]landed on a snake, and [Em]finished [Bm]on square [Em]one
The [Em]game was nearly over and Por[Bm]tree was doing fine
He’d [Em]landed on a ladder, he was [Bm]up to forty-nine
He [Em]only had but one to go and the [Bm]other man was [Em]beat
But the [Am]gambler couped the board up, and [Em]shouted [Bm]"you're a [Em]cheat"
Men [Em]dived behind the rubber plants to [Bm]try and save their skins
The [Em]accordionist stopped playing, his [Bm]sidekick dropped the spoons
He [Em]says "I think its funny, you’ve been [Bm]up the ladder [Em]twice,
And ye [Am]always dunt the table, when I’m [Em]going to [Bm]throw the [Em]dice"
Chorus: He drum [Bm]ho, he drum [Em]hey, The [Am]teuchter that cam frae [Em]Skye.
The [Em]gambler drew his Skian Dubh as [Bm]fast as lightening speed
Por[Em]tree grabbed a screwtop and [Bm]cracked him O the heid
Then he [Em]gave him laldy wi’ a [Bm]salmon off the [Em]wall
And he [Am]finished off the business, wi’ his[Em] lucky [Bm]grousefoot's [Em]claw
Portree [Em]walked up to the bar, he [Bm]says "I’ll hae a half"
And d’ye [Em]like the way I stuck it on that [Bm]wee Macmerry nyaff
But the [Em]Southerner crept up behind his [Bm]features wracked wi’ [Em]pain
And [Am]gubbed him wi' an ashtray made [Em]oot [Bm]o' a curling [Em]stane
The [Em]fight went raging on all night till [Bm]opening time next day
Wi’ a [Em]break for soup and stovies aff a [Bm]coronation tray
It was [Em]getting kind o' obvious, that [Bm]neither man would [Em]win
When [Am]came the shout that stopped it all "there’s a [Em]bus trip [Bm]comin [Em]in"
Chorus: He drum [Bm]ho, he drum [Em]hey, The [Am]teuchter that cam frae [Em]Skye.
They [Em]sing this song in Galashiels and [Bm]up to Peterheid
Way [Em]down o’er the borders a[Bm]cross the Rio Tweed
About [Em]what became O’Portree, Midnight [Bm]and the gamblin' [Em]man,
They [Am]opened up a gift shop selling [Em]fresh air [Bm]in a [Em]can
Chorus: He drum [Bm]ho, he drum [Em]hey, The [Am]teuchter that cam frae [Em]Skye.
He was [Em]tall and quiet and hungry his [Bm]eyes were smoky grey
He was [Em]lean across the hurdies but his [Bm]shoulders they were [Em]big
The [Am]terror of the hielan' glens that [Em]was the [Bm]Portree [Em]kid
Chorus: He drum [Bm]ho, he drum [Em]hey, The [Am]teuchter that cam frae [Em]Skye.
His [Em]sidekick was an orra’man, and [Bm]oh but he was mean
He was [Em]ca’ed the midnight plough boy, and he [Bm]came frae Aberdeen
He had [Em]twenty seven notches on his [Bm]cromak so they [Em]say
And he [Am]killed a million Indians, way [Em]up in [Bm]Storno[Em]way
[Em]Portree booted in the door he [Bm]sauntered tae the bar
He [Em]poured a shot o crabbies he [Bm]shouted *Slàinte Mhat (Slangevar)
While [Em]midnight was being chatted up by a [Bm]bar room girl called [Em]Pam
Who [Am]said well howdy – stranger, wad ye [Em]buy's a [Bm]baby[Em]cham
Now [Em]over in the corner sat three [Bm]men frae Auchertool
They were [Em]playing games for money in a [Bm]snakes and ladder school
The [Em]fourth man was a southerner who’d [Bm]come up from Mac[Em]merry
He'd [Am]been a river gambler on the [Em]Balla[Bm]chulish [Em]Ferry
Chrous: He drum [Bm]ho, he drum [Em]hey, The [Am]teuchter that cam frae [Em]Skye.
Portree [Em]walked up to the table and he [Bm]shouted 'Shake me in'
He [Em]shoogled on the egg cup, he [Bm]gave the dice a spin
He [Em]threw seven sixes in a row and the [Bm]game was nearly [Em]done
But he [Am]landed on a snake, and [Em]finished [Bm]on square [Em]one
The [Em]game was nearly over and Por[Bm]tree was doing fine
He’d [Em]landed on a ladder, he was [Bm]up to forty-nine
He [Em]only had but one to go and the [Bm]other man was [Em]beat
But the [Am]gambler couped the board up, and [Em]shouted [Bm]"you're a [Em]cheat"
Men [Em]dived behind the rubber plants to [Bm]try and save their skins
The [Em]accordionist stopped playing, his [Bm]sidekick dropped the spoons
He [Em]says "I think its funny, you’ve been [Bm]up the ladder [Em]twice,
And ye [Am]always dunt the table, when I’m [Em]going to [Bm]throw the [Em]dice"
Chorus: He drum [Bm]ho, he drum [Em]hey, The [Am]teuchter that cam frae [Em]Skye.
The [Em]gambler drew his Skian Dubh as [Bm]fast as lightening speed
Por[Em]tree grabbed a screwtop and [Bm]cracked him O the heid
Then he [Em]gave him laldy wi’ a [Bm]salmon off the [Em]wall
And he [Am]finished off the business, wi’ his[Em] lucky [Bm]grousefoot's [Em]claw
Portree [Em]walked up to the bar, he [Bm]says "I’ll hae a half"
And d’ye [Em]like the way I stuck it on that [Bm]wee Macmerry nyaff
But the [Em]Southerner crept up behind his [Bm]features wracked wi’ [Em]pain
And [Am]gubbed him wi' an ashtray made [Em]oot [Bm]o' a curling [Em]stane
The [Em]fight went raging on all night till [Bm]opening time next day
Wi’ a [Em]break for soup and stovies aff a [Bm]coronation tray
It was [Em]getting kind o' obvious, that [Bm]neither man would [Em]win
When [Am]came the shout that stopped it all "there’s a [Em]bus trip [Bm]comin [Em]in"
Chorus: He drum [Bm]ho, he drum [Em]hey, The [Am]teuchter that cam frae [Em]Skye.
They [Em]sing this song in Galashiels and [Bm]up to Peterheid
Way [Em]down o’er the borders a[Bm]cross the Rio Tweed
About [Em]what became O’Portree, Midnight [Bm]and the gamblin' [Em]man,
They [Am]opened up a gift shop selling [Em]fresh air [Bm]in a [Em]can
Chorus: He drum [Bm]ho, he drum [Em]hey, The [Am]teuchter that cam frae [Em]Skye.