In the west of Scotland, particularly in the Glasgow area, the phenomenon of "the Ragman", complete with horse, cart and bugle, continued until the early sixties by which time motorised transport had made inroads into the dying occupation. Cambuslang regularly experienced the visit of such a colourful character. The advent of synthetic materials in the garment industry rendered the exercise unviable and led to the death of "the Ragman". Do you recall those days?

The Ragman

Weans aw scurry tae the hoose,
They heard the bugle blawin'
The Ragman saunters doon the street,
His husky voice a'cawin'

Delf fur rags, delf fur rags,
Bring oot yer rags an' woolens
Ah'll gie ye pegs or plates or peens,
Puff-candy or balloons

His horse stauns still, her nosebag timmed,
The cairt already laden
Wi' claes an' things that folk wance wore
He'd rumm'led fae some midden

Delf fur rags, delf fur rags
The weans brought rags an' woolens
Nae pegs nor plates nor peens fur them,
Nor candy, jist balloons

The Ragman's gone up ower the hill
His bugle faintly soundin'
His poor horse knackered wi' the load
Its poor auld hert a'poundin'

Delf fur rags, delf fur rags
The weans hiv started greetin'
The Ragman's let them doon again
Wi' his lyin' an' his cheatin'


Pete McKenna