Up from the heart of the Gorbals he rose,

Don't tramp on his toes, for everyone knows,

From then on when we see the bend in your nose,

We'll all sing 'Benny Has Been'.

 

Chorus :

The whole of the river sang 'Benny Has Been,

Benny Has Been, Benny Has Been',

Down in the city, that never was mean,

We all sang 'Benny Has Been'.

 

Down to the shows Benny went as a youth,

To fight in the booth, I'll tell you the truth,

Many's the big man was short of a tooth,

As he sang 'young Benny Has been'.

 

To Manchester City young Benny went down,

To meet Jacky Brown, he picked up the crown.

He came back in triumph to old Glasgow town,

And the city sang 'Benny Has Been'.

 

He beat Small Montatna, he floored Peter Kane,

Sent him back to train - then downed him again,

The Lynch-pin of boxing inflicted more pain,

And the city sang 'Benny Has Been.'

 

The city had T. B. the city had booze,

Her victims she'd choose, and send out the news,

That Benny would win, and then that Benny would lose,

And the city sang 'Benny Has Been',