Will Fyffe was born in Dundee in 1885 the son of a shipyard worker who was also interested in theatrical entertainment and ran a touring company. Young Will joined and became very much a character actor, touring in productions of Shakespeare around Scotland. He had the ability to create a character and then seem to actually be the character for he studied each type at first hand. According to theatre manager and historian Walter Macqueen-Pope, Will Fyffe was a man of great honesty and integrity, and this comes across in his songs when heard today. He wrote many popular songs including Sailing Up the Clyde and She was the Belle of the Ball.
His studies of the Engineer, the Bridegroom in his 90s, the Glasgow working man, and perhaps above all that same working man infused with pride and delight at the birth of his son in You can come and see the Baby make his memory live on. A subtle and witty impersonator, he was so popular that a variety theatre in Glasgow ran a 'Will Fyffe' competition. Dozens of hopefuls entered, to sing his most famous composition I belong to Glasgow. Will, a great joker, entered for a bet. Heavily disguised as himself, he won second prize!
Will Fyffe died in 1947 from injuries sustained in an accidental fall from a hotel window in St. Andrews after being stricken with dizziness following surgical treatment. |
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