No Mean City

No Mean City is a 1935 novel by H. Kingsley Long, a journalist, and Alexander McArthur, an unemployed worker. It is an account of life in the Gorbals, a run-down slum district of Glasgow (now mostly demolished, but re-built in a contemporary style) with the hard men and the razor gangs.

Whatever its literary or other merits, for many years it was regarded as the definitive account of life in Glasgow, and its title became a byword. It originated from a set of conversations sent to Longman's publishing firm from McArthur which was then sent to Kingsley Long to build into a complete novel.

Its title is a quotation from the Bible, where Paul the Apostle says that he is a citizen of Tarsus, which is "no mean city", i.e. no obscure or insignificant city.

This tale of Glasgow gang lands is set in the inter-war period (1920s) and is a depiction of working class life for young and old, male and female and gives insight into both the private and public issues faced by the dwellers of the city.

No Mean City (album)

No Mean City is the tenth studio album by the Scottish hard rock band Nazareth, released in 1979. The album title comes from the 1935 novel No Mean City and features artwork illustrated by Rodney Matthews. With this record that stood dormant the band's sound was heavier, considering the addition of guitarist Zal Cleminson of Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Sold very well at the time, with the main single Star, preceded by Whatever you want babe. The popularity of the album allowed the band to play with several big names such as Thin Lizzy, on their 1978/79 tour.

Track listing

All lyrics written by Manny Charlton, Dan McCafferty, Pete Agnew, Darrell Sweet unless otherwise noted. 

30th anniversary bonus tracks

Earlier remasters included the song Greens as a bonus track. This is not available on the 30th Anniversary remaster of No Mean City, but is instead found on the same such remaster of Expect No Mercy.

Personnel

Band members