The songs of Leeds United --> Track 5

The Ballad of Billy Bremner

This song is a tribute to Billy Bremner, a great football player that will be remembered for many reasons: the triumphs he achieved with Leeds, the role he played as captain of the side for many years, the fact that he always played his heart out 110% for the club. That he was from time to time involved in some controversy, for instance when banned from the Scottish national side he loved, was more due to envy and misunderstanding than to Billy Bremner himself.
Bremner's name is mentioned in a lot of Leeds songs. As far back as 1968 King Billy was prominently mentioned in the song "Glory, Glory Leeds United" - "For the sake of Leeds United he will break himself in two, His hair is red and fuzzy and his body's black and blue". Again, in 1972's "Leeds United", Bremner gets singled out - "There's a red headed tiger known as Billy, And he goes like a human dynamo". We feel that these two clips perhaps best describe Billy.
Indeed, Bremner was so important to Leeds United that he even got a song of his own. Released in 1971, and sung with a scottish accent, it is a fitting part of the memory of Billy Bremner!

The Ballad of Billy Bremner

(Ronnie Hilton)
EMI Publishing 1971
(Shouted) Bil-ly Brem-ner (5 claps)
(repeated 5 times)

There's a tale I'm goin' to tell you
All about a brave young man
Who was born and born in Scotland
That's where history began

He once cheered the Glasgow Celtic
Just the soon as he could talk
And he'd kick a paper football
Just the soon as he could walk

And his name is Billy Bremner
We will never forget his deeds
He was made to play for Scotland
Now he captains United of Leeds

So he came to Leeds United
And they made Don Revie the boss
All the Elland Road fans were excited
and wor gain was Celtic's loss

Many giants have tried to slay him
When he fights for every ball
But he knows the famous saying
When they're big the harder they fall

And his name is Billy Bremner
We will never forget his deeds
He was made to play for Scotland
Now he captains United of Leeds

When they talk of Mathews and Pele
Of Laughton and Finney and James
Like a whiskey in your belly
He will glow amongst those names

He will lead our lads to glory
He will lead our lads to fame
When they sing Uniteds story
You will always hear the name

And his name is Billy Bremner
We will never forget his deeds
He was made to play for Scotland
Now he captains United of Leeds

And his name is Billy Bremner
We will never forget his deeds
He was made to play for Scotland
Now he captains United of Leeds

(9 claps) Brem-ner
(repeated to fade)