I Wish I Was in Glasgow
Billy Connolly Lyrics


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Oh I wish I was in Glasgow
With some good old friends of mine,
Some good old rough companions
And some good old smooth red wine.
We could talk about the old days
And the old town's sad decline
And drink to the boys on the road.
Oh I was born in Glasgow
Near the center of the town.
I would take you there and show you
But they've torn the building down,
And when I think about it
It always makes me frown
They bulldozed it all to make a road.

And that great old place I miss so much
Has seen much better days,
And still we talk about it
As we go our separate ways.
Oh but Glasgow gave me more
Than it ever took away
And prepared me for life on the road.

And that great old place I miss so much
Has seen much better days,
And still we talk about it
As we go our separate ways.
Oh but Glasgow gave me more
Than it ever took away
And prepared me for life on the road.

My granny was a cleaner,
My grandad drove a tram,
My father an engineer,
Made me all I am.
They have seen the city come and go,
Still they give a damn.
There's so much to learn along the road.

And Glasgow gave me more




Than it ever took away
And prepared me for life on the road.

Overall Meaning

In "I Wish I Was in Glasgow," Billy Connolly expresses his love for the city where he was born and the nostalgia he feels for the good old days spent with his rough and smooth companions over some wine. The lyrics convey a longing to return to a place where you feel a sense of belonging, to reminisce about the past, and to honor those who have traveled down the same road. The singer talks about the changes he has witnessed in Glasgow, with its sad decline and the buildings that have been torn down to make roads. The lyrics express the singer's love for Glasgow and his appreciation for the city's impact on his life.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh I wish I was in Glasgow
The singer desires to be in Glasgow.


With some good old friends of mine,
The singer wants to be with specific companions in Glasgow.


Some good old rough companions
The singer desires to be with friends who are tough and gritty.


And some good old smooth red wine.
The artist wants to drink red wine in Glasgow.


We could talk about the old days
The companions could reminisce about the past in Glasgow.


And the old town's sad decline
The singer laments the deterioration of the town.


And drink to the boys on the road.
The group would drink in honor of travelers.


Oh I was born in Glasgow
The artist is originally from Glasgow.


Near the center of the town.
The artist's birthplace was close to the town center.


I would take you there and show you
The artist would show someone the birthplace if it still existed.


But they've torn the building down,
The birthplace no longer exists due to demolition.


And when I think about it
The artist reflects on the loss of the birthplace.


It always makes me frown
The singer is saddened by the loss of the birthplace.


They bulldozed it all to make a road.
The birthplace was demolished to create a road.


And that great old place I miss so much
The singer misses Glasgow.


Has seen much better days,
Glasgow is not as vibrant as it once was.


And still we talk about it
The artist and companions reminisce about Glasgow.


As we go our separate ways.
The companions are no longer in Glasgow together.


Oh but Glasgow gave me more
Glasgow has had a positive influence on the singer.


Than it ever took away
The good of Glasgow outweighs any negative aspects.


And prepared me for life on the road.
Glasgow helped the artist prepare for a life of travel.


My granny was a cleaner,
The artist's grandmother worked as a cleaner.


My grandad drove a tram,
The singer's grandfather was a tram driver.


My father an engineer,
The artist's father worked as an engineer.


Made me all I am.
The singer's family had a significant influence on their character.


They have seen the city come and go,
The singer's family has witnessed changes in the city.


Still they give a damn.
The singer's family still cares about the city.


There's so much to learn along the road.
The artist recognizes there is much to gain from traveling.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@jamiedavidson5045

Oh I wish I was in Glasgow
With some good old friends of mine,
Some good old rough companions
And some good old smooth red wine.
We could talk about the old days
And the old town's sad decline
And drink to the boys on the road.

Oh I was born in Glasgow
Near the center of the town.
I would take you there and show you
But they've torn the building down,
And when I think about it
It always makes me frown
They bulldozed it all to make a road.

And that great old place I miss so much
Has seen much better days,
And still we talk about it
As we go our separate ways.
Oh but Glasgow gave me more
Than it ever took away
And prepared me for life on the road.

And that great old place I miss so much
Has seen much better days,
And still we talk about it
As we go our separate ways.
Oh but Glasgow gave me more
Than it ever took away
And prepared me for life on the road.

My granny was a cleaner,
My grandad drove a tram,
My father an engineer,
Made me all I am.
They have seen the city come and go,
Still they give a damn.
There's so much to learn along the road.

And Glasgow gave me more
Than it ever took away
And prepared me for life on the road



All comments from YouTube:

@atlantaman

It’s a tough city with tough people and yet, paradoxically, the kindest place whose folk have the biggest, most generous hearts and sense of community. The chorus says it all, if you’ve ever really lived there: it gives you more than it ever takes away and prepares you for life. It did that for me.

@moeksie1

My late father James Andrew Wilson was born in Glasgow 1.2.1901 and sadly passed away in South Africa in 1957. Although I was born in South Africa my heart is in Glasgow and at age 71 my wish is to visit Glasgow before I close my eyes. RIP daddy, miss you.

@liisavarhalla6348

I hope you get your wish....it seems like a wonderful place to see.😊🎈

@rossco76tait48

Nick,I hope you make it to Glasgow. Take care bud.

@dantevidruh7463

Sad story I hope you get to visit Glasgow you'll love it I live 20 miles from it was born and bred there myself Glasgow will welcome you I do hope your doing well and hope you get to cone to Glasgow you won't regret it it's beautiful

@harrywragg9883

If you visit, give me a shout. I'll take you out for a pint and a dinner and put you up for the night. I hope your wish comes true.

@chrsfte

You’re welcome any time.

17 More Replies...

@liisavarhalla6348

I love this song. Gives me shivers and a tear rolls down my cheek.
Billy wrote comedy songs, but some ballads he wrote are so beautiful. He has a beautiful voice and was a good musician. He is still great on the banjo...this song is the best.

@maryrennie5076

Billy makes me laugh when i feel a wee bit down he is so gifted may god rtuly bless him

@Nerioite

I'm sure this song would have an even greater poignancy to me were I actually from Scotland (I'm from the Oakland area in America) but I feel like these themes really transcend borders. There's a very universal feeling of "yeah, this town is a mean piece of shit place, but it's MY mean piece of shit place, and I wouldn't rather be from anywhere else". There will always be parts you don't like (like those special places to you getting torn down, something I'm very familiar with), but there's also the immense blessings to be alive and to be around those you come to know and love. Writing this from college, first long time away from home, and I hope everyone here feels like home is never too far away, at least in spirit.

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