Lyrics:

Included on their The Finest hits compilation, this quintessentially Glaswegian track is about the Proclaimers not losing their accent just so they fit in.
I've been so sad
Since you said my accent was bad
He's worn a frown
This Caledonian clown

I'm just gonna have to learn to hesitate
To make sure my words on your Saxon ears don't grate
But I wouldn't know a single word tae say
If I flattened all the vowels and I threw the 'R' away

Some days I stand
On your green and pleasant land
How dare I show face
When my diction is such a disgrace?

I'm just gonna have to learn to hesitate
To make sure my words on your Saxon ears don't grate
But I wouldn't know a single word tae say
If I flattened all the vowels and I threw the 'R' away

You say that if I wanna get ahead
The language I use should be left for dead
It doesn't please your ear
And though ya tell it like a leg-pull
It seems you're still full of John Bull
You just refuse to hear

Oh what can I do
To be understood by you?
Perhaps for some money
I could talk like a bee dripping honey

I'm just gonna have to learn to hesitate
(Yeah!)
To make sure my words on your Saxon ears don't grate
But I wouldn't know a single word tae say
If I flattened all the vowels and I threw the 'R' away

You say that if I want to get ahead
The language I use should be left for dead
It doesn't please your ear
And though you tell it like a leg-pull
I think you're still full of John Bull
You just refuse to hear

He's been so sad
'Cause you said his accent was bad
He's worn a frown
This Caledonian clown

I'm just gonna have to learn to hesitate
To make sure my words on your Saxon ears don't grate
But I wouldn't know a single word tae say
If I flattened all the vowels and I threw the 'R' away
Flattened all the vowels and I threw the 'R' away
You flatten all the vowels and you throw the 'R' away