The Scotsman
View chords used in this chart
[Verso 1]
C G F C
Well, a Scotsman clad in kilt left a bar one evening fair
C G F C
And one could tell by how he walked that he'd drunk more than his share
C G F C
He fumbled round until he could no longer keep his feet
C G F C
Then he stumbled off into the grass to sleep beside the street
C G F C
Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
C G F C
He stumbled off into the grass to sleep beside the street
[Verso 2]
C G F C
About that time two young and lovely girls just happened by
C G F C
And one says to the other with a twinkle in her eye
C G F C
See young sleeping Scotsman so strong and handsome built
C G F C
I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath the kilt
C G F C
Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
C G F C
I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath the kilt
[Verso 3]
C G F C
They crept up on that sleeping Scotsman quiet as could be
C G F C
Lifted up his kilt about an inch so they could see
C G F C
And there behold, for them to view, beneath his Scottish skirt
C G F C
Was nothing more than God had graced him with upon his birth
C G F C
Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
C G F C
Was nothing more than God had graced him with upon his birth
[Verso 4]
C G F C
They marveled for a moment, then one said we must be gone
C G F C
Let's leave a present for our friend, before we move along
C G F C
As a gift they left a blue silk ribbon, tied into a bow
C G F C
Around the bonnie star, the Scots kilt did lift and show
C G F C
Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
C G F C
Around the bonnie star, the Scots kilt did lift and show
[Verso 5]
C G F C
Now the Scotsman woke to nature's call and stumbled toward the trees
C G F C
Behind a bush, he lifts his kilt and gawks at what he sees
C G F C
And in a startled voice he says to what's before his eyes
C G F C
O lad, I don't know where you been but I see you won first prize
C G F C
Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
C G F C
O lad, I don't know where you been but I see you won first prize
[Verso 6]
C G F C
Our Scottish friend, still dressed in kilt, continued up the street
C G F C
He hadn't gone ten yards or more, when a lass he chanced to meet
C G F C
She said: "I've heard what's underneath there, tell me, is it so?"
C G F C
He said: "Just slip your hand up, lass, if y'really want to know!"
C G F C
Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
C G F C
He said: "Just slip your hand up, lass, if y'really want to know!"
[Verso 7]
C G F C
So she slipped her hand right up his kilt, and much to her surprise
C G F C
The Scotsman smiled, and a very strange look came into his eyes
C G F C
She said: "Why, sir, that's gruesome!" And then she heard him roar:
C G F C
"If you stick yer hand up once again, you'll find it grew some more!"
C G F C
Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
C G F C
"If you stick yer hand up once again, you'll find it grew some more!"
[Verso 8]
C G F C
The Scotsman's hands were numb with drink, his head was spinning 'round
C G F C
He couldn't get that ribbon off, so homeward he was bound
C G F C
His wife she caught a flash of blue, as he took off his clothes
C G F C
And it piqued her curiosity, as you might well suppose
C G F C
Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
C G F C
And it piqued her curiosity, as you might well suppose
[Verso 9]
C G F C
Well, then she asked that Scotsman, where he'd been and what he'd done
C G F C
He said there was a contest at the pub, and that he'd won
C G F C
She cried, you did not show that thing, in front of all those men?
C G F C
I did not show it all my love, but just enough to win
C G F C
Ring ding diddle diddle I de oh ring di diddly I oh
C G F C
I did not show it all my love, but just enough to win
How to play The Scotsman
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is C. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.