[Verse 1] Born down in Pollokshaws A teacher of the truth He saw the hungry workers He saw the wasted youth He spoke of wealth divided He challenged class and crown A gentle man of patience Who would not be held down [Chorus 1] The Clyde ran red With the words he said Bread and peace for all He answered the call A working man's guide On the steady Clyde [Verse 2] The drums of war were beating He stood against the tide He would not send the poor to die For empire and for pride They locked him in the cell To silence what he knew But bars can never hold the light When what you speak is true [Chorus 2] The Clyde ran red With the words he said Bread and peace for all He answered the call A working man's guide On the steady Clyde [Verse 3] Just forty four short years he had To build a better way A Marxist mind, a kindly heart Still echoing today He taught the men who worked the steel To stand up and be free John Maclean of Scotland A name in history [Outro] For the working man. Fade to black The fire remains ©2026 Trevor Swistchew and The Shady River Bard. All rights reserved.
