Lyrics-YellowonTheBroomChorus:Whenyellow'sonthebroomWhenyellow'sonthebroomI'lltak'yeontheroadagainWhenyellow'sonthebroomIkenyedinnalikeit,lass,TaewinterhereintoonForthescaldiesayemiscryusAndtheytrytaeputusdoonButit'shardtoraisethreebairnsInasingleflea-boxroomSoI'lltak'yeontheroadagainWhenyellow'sonthebroomThescaldiescryus'tinkerdirt'AndsconceourbairnsinschoolWhocareswhatascaldythinksForascaldy'sbutafoolHeneverheardtheyarlin'ssongNorseentheflaxinbloomForthey'rea'coopedupinhoosesWhentheyellow'sonthebroomNosaleforpegsorbaskets,nooSojusttostayaliveWehavetaeworkatscaldyjobsFraenineo'clocktillfiveButwecallnomanourmasterForweowntheworld'sroomAndwe'llbidfareweeltaeBrechinWhentheyellow'sonthebroomI'mwearyforthespringtimeTaetak'theroadyincemairFortheplantin'andthepearlin'AndtheberryfieldsofBlairWe'llmeetupwi'oorkinfolkFroma'thecountryroon'Whentheganabootfolktak'theroadAndtheyellow'sonthebroom

A song about the Travellers (sometimes called Tinkers) of Scotland who lived/live a nomadic life which often settled for a short while during the harder winter months. The lyrics show the Traveller anxious for Spring and a new start to travelling. This song was written by the non-Traveller Adam McNaughtan and is based somewhat on the book of the same title by a traveller named Betsy Whyte. Adam has been involved in the Folk Revival since the late fifties as singer, researcher and songwriter. He developed an interest in the theory and history of folksong, specialising in the children’s traditions and in the songs of Glasgow and the interaction between print and oral transmission. For the past twenty years he has sung with the highly respected group, Stramash. As a former English teacher, he hopes one day to meet a former pupil who remembers something more about him than the fact that he sang in the classroom. An Honorary Research Fellow in Scottish Studies at the University of Glasgow, he edited Volume 5 of the Greig-Duncan Folksong Collection.