Granny’s political singsong

Events to mark 100 years since Winston Churchill lost his Dundee seat sparked Helen Lawrenson’s memories of her own familial ties to the historic upset.

The Fife resident says: “Recent Courier coverage – including a feature in Craigie – reminded me of the reminiscences of my granny, Margaret Elder, about long-ago elections.

“She rather lamented the lack of popular interest in more recent elections, recalling how groups of supporters used to parade ‘up the Hackie and doon the Blackie’, chanting their favourite election songs.

“Then she would sing them to me.

It might be, ‘Vote, vote, vote for Neddie Scrymgeour/ Vote, vote, vote for a’ his kin!/ If ye dinnae vote for him, we will bash yer windies in/ An’ ye winnae see yer windaes ony mair!’

“Or: ‘Gang awa, Winston Churchill, gang awa/ For ye’re no the man for Parliament ava! Ye’re mistaken a’thegither, ED Morel’s the man forever – Gang awa, Winston Churchill, gang awa!’”

Helen, of Wormit, concludes: “No doubt variations of these were sung in other elections, for other candidates. I enjoyed granny’s enthusiasm!”