This song was written by Ian Walker with P6 at Forth Primary, South Lanarkshire. 

Ian, who plays the banjo, says, 'It is said that the travelling minstrels used to visit Forth and that they played in the school hall, as there were very few community halls in those days. We imagined the show coming to Forth School today, with the dancing bears, jugglers, clowns and even banjo players!'

Ian’s work with Forth School in 2003-04 was organised by the New Makars Trust.

Were you there when the travelling minstrel show
Came to Forth School?
Were you there? Were you there?
Were you there? Were you there?
Were you there? Were you there?
Were you there? Were you there?
Were you there when the travelling minstrel show,
Came to Forth School?

Did you see the big brown dancing bear,
When she came to Forth School?
Did you run when she turned and gave a stare,
When she came to Forth School?

Did you see the juggler from the fair,
When he came to Forth School?
He juggled bottles in the air,
When he came to Forth School.

Did you see the silly clown with his big wide frown,
When he came to Forth School?
Fell flat on his face, disappeared without a trace,
When he came to Forth School.

Did you see their funny clothes,
When they came to Forth School?
They wore big things, short things, tight things, baggy things,
When they came to Forth School.

There were moothies, banjos, violins,
When they came to Forth School.
Guitars and drums, accordions.
When they came to Forth School.

We were there!

The Travelling Minstrel Show, performed by Ian Walker and P6 from Forth Primary School. From Making New Scots Songs 16, New Makars Trust.