The first two verses of this song are about soldiers of the 42nd Highland Regiment, the Black Watch, marching along the Broomielaw, which runs alongside the River Clyde in Glasgow. They are going to board a ship to travel abroad, maybe to fight in a war, but the song makes fun of how they are dressed. In Perth the song marched them down the Thimbleraw.

The third verse changes the song just a little to make fun of the Scottish city children who used to be sent to rural farming areas to lift the potatoes (tatties).

Wha saw the 42nd, wha saw them gaun awa?
Wha saw the 42nd merchin doon the Broomielaw?
Some o them had boots an stockins
Some o them had nane at aa
Some o them had tattie scones
For tae keep the cauld awa.

Wha saw the 42nd, wha saw them gaun awa?
Wha saw the 42nd merchin doon the Broomielaw?
Some o them had tartan toories
Some o them had nane at aa
Some o them had green umbrellas
For tae keep the rain awa.

Wha saw the tattie howkers? Wha saw them gaun awa?
Wha saw the tatttie howkers merchin doon the Broomielaw?
Some o them had boots an stockins
Some o them had nane at aa
Some o them had a wee drop whisky
For tae keep the cauld awa

The tune is also played as a pipe march with an old Jacobite lyric, which was collected or made by poet James Hogg.

Wha wouldna fecht for Charlie,
Wha wouldna draw the sword,
Wha wouldna up and rally
At the Royal Prince’s word?

Think on Scotia’s ancient heroes,
Think on foreign foes repelled,
Think on glorious Bruce and Wallace,
Wha the proud usurpers quelled.

Wha Saw the 42nd? performed by Ewan McVicar From Scottish Songs for Younger Children, Gallus Recordings. The second recording is performed by the Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion of the Black Watch. From The Pipes & Drums 1st Battalion The Black Watch - The Ladies From Hell (CD) CDTRAX162 (September 1998), Greentrax Recordings.