Matt McGinn

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Matt McGinn (January 17, 1928 - January 5, 1977) was Scottish folk singer-song writer and poet.

Matt was born in Ross Street at the corner of the Gallowgate in Calton, Glasgow in 1928, one of a family of nine. At the age of twelve he was sent to an approved school for two years. On his release he worked in the Hillington factory of Guest, Keen & Nettleford, spending his spare time at evening classes and reading. He gained a Trade Union scholarship to study economics and political science at Ruskin College in Oxford when he was thirty-one. After graduating, he trained to become a teacher at Huddersfield Teachers' Training College and went on to work as a teacher in Lanarkshire for three years before becoming the organiser of the Gorbals Adventure Playground.

He found himself joining the folk scene after winning a song contest with a song entitled "The Foreman O'Rourke". He met Pete Seeger in 1961 when he was touring the British Isles. Seeger championed McGinn's music in the United States and arranged for McGinn to be part of a concert performance at the Carnegie Hall, where McGinn met a young Bob Dylan. His career in music began during the folk revival of the 1960's but whilst others leaned towards traditional song, Matt carved his own niche as a humourist and playwright as well as a singer/songwriter. He was a prolific songwriter, drawing on his experiences of Glasgow life for much of his material. His performances in clubs and concert halls were hugely popular, often leaving the audience in tears of laughter.

He passionately believed in the overthrow of capitalism and supported many union disputes and always sided with the oppresed and down-trodden.

Matt died on January 5, 1977 from the effects of smoke inhalation. Although brought up a Roman Catholic he abandoned religion and at his funeral the Communist anthem 'The Internationale' was movingly sung by the large congregation.