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Ta Ta Bella, alias Saturday Johnnie, was a well-known worthy in the district, between the 1930s-50s. His sad grey bearded face was capped by an old soft hat, which flopped over his ears.
Underneath his two well-worn overcoats was an old jacket. His last visible garment was a collarless shirt. Over his shoulder, he always carried a sack used as a receptacle for ‘jeely’ jars and lemonade bottles (then redeemable for pennies.) His days were spent in tenement back courts raking the middens, after which he would announce himself to the occupants, by first performing a little dance and then launching into song – ‘Ta Ta Bella, I’ll no say goodbye Although I’m leaving Glasgow with the HLI Having collected his rewards of money, jam jars, and lemonade bottles, he would leave followed by a crowd of children chanting: – “Ta Ta Bella, yer bum’s a’ yella”
The Grave of James Purdy
After 80 years in a unmarked grave Ta Ta Bella (James Purdie) a fondly remembered Paisley Character has now a beautiful cross made by Paisley Men’s Shed many thanks to Archie, and Stewart what great community spirit.
