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My name is David and I make music. Thanks for stopping by!
My name is David and I make music. Thanks for stopping by!
Jump to Lyrics | Viral Video | Spotify | Apple Music
“When the Tartan Came to Boston” is a viral folk song written by Boston-based musician and songwriter David Law. It celebrates the massive influx of Scotland’s passionate football fans—collectively known as the Tartan Army—who descended on Massachusetts during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
When thousands of Scottish supporters flooded Boston—gathering in pubs, marching to matches at Fenway Park, and filling the Boston Common with bagpipes—the city's locals were entirely won over. The fans were widely embraced for their colorful kilts, energetic songs, and friendly, trouble-free camaraderie.
Overcome by the festive community atmosphere, local musician David Law wrote, recorded, and released the song in just one night. The lyrics capture the joy the Scots brought to the city:
When the Tartan Came to Boston
All the city came alive
And we danced upon the Common
With a spirit we’d forgotten
When the bars of faneuil opened
There was something there revived
Sharing pints and songs and anthems
To remind us of our pride
Oh, raise a glass and sing
From the highlands to the harbor
Now we stand a little taller
Since the Tartan came to Boston
Oh, raise a glass and sing
From the highlands to the harbor
Now we laugh a little harder
Since the Tartan came to Boston, Oh.
They were playing pipes at sunrise
At six on Sunday morning
And we threw open our windows
For the unfamiliar tone
Every road became a ceilidh (“kay-lee”)
As we drank on cobbled stones
And our crowded little city
Felt a little more like home
Oh, raise a glass and sing
From the highlands to the harbor
Now we stand a little taller
Since the Tartan came to Boston
Oh, raise a glass and sing
From the highlands to the harbor
Now we drink a little harder
Since the Tartan came to Boston, Oh
So pour another round
And bring this song wherever you go
Some day we’ll cross the ocean
And we’ll meet again in Glasgow
Oh, raise a glass and sing
From the highlands to the harbor
Now we love a little harder
Since the Tartan came to Boston
Oh, raise a glass and sing
From the highlands to the harbor
It took thirty-thousand strangers
To remind us we were neighbors
And we haven’t been the same since
When the Tartan came to Boston, Oh
© David Law. 2026.
Key of F
Verse 1
F Bb/F F
When the Tartan Came to Boston
(F/A) Bb F/A
All the city came alive
Bb F
And we danced upon the Common
Gm7 Bb
With a spirit we’d forgotten
F Bb F
When the bars of Faneuil opened
(F/A) Bb F/A
There was something there revived
Bb F/A
Sharing pints and songs and anthems
Gm7 Bb
To remind us of our pride
Chorus
F Bb F
Oh, raise a glass and sing
Am7 Bb Am7
From the highlands to the harbor
Bb C Dm7
Now we stand a little taller
Gm7 Bb
Since the Tartan came to Boston
F Bb F
Oh, raise a glass and sing
Am7 Bb Am7
From the highlands to the harbor
Bb C Dm7
Now we laugh a little harder
Gm7 Bb
Since the Tartan came to Boston, Oh.
F Bb/F F
Verse 2
F Bb F (F7/A)
They were playing pipes at sunrise
Bb F/A
At six on Sunday morning
Bb F/A
And we threw open our windows
Gm7 Bb
For the unfamiliar tone
F Bb F
Every road became a ceilidh (“kay-lee”)
(F/A) Bb F/A
As we drank on cobbled stones
Bb F/A
And our crowded little city
Gm7 Bb
Felt a little more like home
Chorus 2
F Bb F
Oh, raise a glass and sing
(F/A) Bb Am7
From the highlands to the harbor
Bb C Dm7
Now we stand a little taller
Gm7 Bb
Since the Tartan came to Boston
F Bb F
Oh, raise a glass and sing
(F/A) Bb Am7
From the highlands to the harbor
Bb C Dm7
Now we drink a little harder
Gm7 Bb
Since the Tartan came to Boston, Oh
F Bb F
Bridge
Cm7 Gm7
So pour another round
F Bb F
And bring this song wherever you go
Cm7 Gm7
Some day we’ll cross the ocean
Gm7 Bb
And we’ll meet again in Glasgow
Chorus 3 (breakdown)
F Bb F
Oh, raise a glass and sing
F/A Bb Am7
From the highlands to the harbor
Bb C Dm7
Now we love a little harder
Gm7 Bb
Since the Tartan came to Boston
F Bb F
Oh, raise a glass and sing
(F/A) Bb Am7
From the highlands to the harbor
Bb C Dm7
It took thirty-thousand strangers
Bb C Dm7
To remind us we were neighbors
F/C A7/C# Dm7
And we haven’t been the same since
Gm7 Bb
When the Tartan came to Boston, oh.
F Bb/F F
© David Law. 2026.
