[ { "title": "A Christmas Carol", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Welcome, sweet Christmas, blest be the morn", "That Christ our Saviour was born!", "Earth's Redeemer, to save us from all danger,", "And, as the Holy Record tells, born in a manger.", "", "Chorus --", "", "Then ring, ring, Christmas bells,", "Till your sweet music o'er the kingdom swells,", "To warn the people to respect the morn", "That Christ their Saviour was born.", "", "The snow was on the ground when Christ was born,", "And the Virgin Mary His mother felt very forlorn", "As she lay in a horse's stall at a roadside inn,", "Till Christ our Saviour was born to free us from sin.", "", "Oh! think of the Virgin Mary as she lay", "In a lowly stable on a bed of hay,", "And angels watching O'er her till Christ was born,", "Therefore all the people should respect Christmas morn.", "", "The way to respect Christmas time", "Is not by drinking whisky or wine,", "But to sing praises to God on Christmas morn,", "The time that Jesus Christ His Son was born;", "", "Whom He sent into the world to save sinners from hell", "And by believing in Him in heaven we'll dwell;", "Then blest be the morn that Christ was born,", "Who can save us from hell, death, and scorn.", "", "Then he warned, and respect the Saviour dear,", "And treat with less respect the New Year,", "And respect always the blessed morn", "That Christ our Saviour was born.", "", "For each new morn to the Christian is dear,", "As well as the morn of the New Year,", "And he thanks God for the light of each new morn.", "Especially the morn that Christ was born.", "", "Therefore, good people, be warned in time,", "And on Christmas morn don't get drunk with wine", "But praise God above on Christmas morn,", "Who sent His Son to save us from hell and scorn.", "", "There the heavenly babe He lay", "In a stall among a lot of hay,", "While the Angel Host by Bethlehem", "Sang a beautiful and heavenly anthem.", "", "Christmas time ought to be held most dear,", "Much more so than the New Year,", "Because that's the time that Christ was born,", "Therefore respect Christmas morn.", "", "And let the rich be kind to the poor,", "And think of the hardships they do endure,", "Who are neither clothed nor fed,", "And Many without a blanket to their bed." ], "linecount": "49" }, { "title": "The Inauguration of the Hill o' Balgay", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful Hill o' Balgay,", "With your green frees and flowers fair,", "'Tis health for the old and young", "For to be walking there,", "To breathe the fragrant air", "Emanating from the green bushes", "And beautiful flowers there,", "Then they can through the burying-ground roam,", "And read the epitaphs on the tombstones", "Before they go home.", "There the lovers can wander safe arm in arm,", "For policemen are there to protect them from harm", "And to watch there all day,", "So that no accident can befall them", "In the Hill o' Balgay.", "Then there's Harry Scott's mansion,", "Most beautiful to be seen,", "Also the Law Hill, likewise the Magdalen Green,", "And the silvery Tay,", "Rolling on its way.", "And the coast of Fife,", "And the beautiful town of St. Andrews,", "Where Cardinal Beaten lost his life;", "And to be seen on a clear summer day,", "From the top of the beautiful Hill o' Balgay.", "On the opening day of the Hill o' Balgay,", "It was a most beautiful sight to see", "Numerous bands, with flags and banners, assembled in Dundee,", "All in grand procession, with spirits light, that day,", "March'd out the Blackness Road to the Hill o' Balgay.", "The Earl o' Dalhousie was there on the opening day,", "Also Harry Scott, the young laird o' Balgay,", "And he made a great speech to the people there,", "And they applauded him with cries that rent the air.", "The Earl o' Dalhousie made a fine speech in his turn,", "And said there was only one thing that caus'd him to mourn,-", "There was no profection from the rain in the Hill o' Balgay,", "And he would give another five hundred pounds away", "For to erect a shed for the people upon a rainy day,", "To keep them dry and comfortable on the Hill o' Balgay.", "Then the people applauded him with three loud cheers,", "For their hearts were all opened, and flowed with joyous tears,", "So they all dispers'd quietly with spirits light that day,", "And that ended the inauguration of the Hill o' Balgay." ], "linecount": "44" }, { "title": "Beautiful Monikie", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful Monikie! with your trees and shrubberies green", "And your beautiful walks, most charming to be seen:", "'Tis a beautiful place for pleasure-seekers to resort,", "Because there they can have innocent sport,", "taking a leisure walk all round about,", "And see the ang1ers fishing in the pand for trout.", "", "Besides, there's lovely white swans swimming on the pond,", "And Panmure Monument can be seen a little distance beyond;", "And the scenery all round is enchanting I declare,", "While sweet-scented fragrance fills the air.", "", "Then away, pleasure-seekers of bonnie Dundee,", "And have a day's outing around Monikie,", "And inhale the pure air, on a fine summer day,", "Which will help to drive dull care away;", "As ye gaze on the beautiful scenery there,", "Your spirits will feel o'erjoyed and free frozen care.", "", "Then near to the pond there's a beautiful green sward,", "Where excursionists can dance until fatigue does them retard;", "And if they feel thirsty, the Monikie water's near by,", "Where they can quench their thirst if very dry.", "", "Then, after that, they can have a walk at their ease,", "Amongst the green shrubbery and tall pine trees;", "And in the centre of the pand they can see", "Three beautiful little islets dressed in green livery.", "", "Monikie is as bonnie a place as ye could wish to see,", "And about eleven or twelve miles from bonnie Dundee;", "It's the only place I know of to enjoy a holiday,", "Because there's a hall of shelter there to keep the rain away.", "", "Then there's a large park, a very suitable place,", "For the old and the young, if they wish to try a race;", "It's there they can enjoy themselves during the live-long summmer day,", "Near to the little purling burn, meandering on its way,", "And emptying itself into the pond of Monikie,", "Which supplies the people with water belonging to Dundee." ], "linecount": "34" }, { "title": "The Loss of the Victoria", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Alas! Now o'er Britannia there hangs a gloom,", "Because over 400 British Tars have met with a watery tomb;", "Who served aboard the \" Victoria,\" the biggest ship in the navy,", "And one of the finest battleships that ever sailed the sea.", "", "And commanded by Sir George Tyron, a noble hero bold,", "And his name on his tombstone should be written in letters of gold;", "For he was skilful in naval tactics, few men could with him cope,", "And he was considered to be the nation's hope.", "", "'Twas on Thursday, the twenty-second of June,", "And off the coast of Syria, and in the afternoon,", "And in the year of our Lord eighteen ninety-three,", "That the ill-fated \"Victoria\" sank to the bottom of the sea.", "", "The \"Victoria\" sank in fifteen minutes after she was rammed,", "In eighty fathoms of water, which was smoothly calmed;", "The monster war vessel capsized bottom uppermost,", "And, alas, lies buried in the sea totally lost.", "", "The \"Victoria\" was the flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet,", "And was struck by the \"Camperdown\" when too close they did meet,", "While practising the naval and useful art of war,", "How to wheel and discharge their shot at the enemy afar.", "", "Oh, Heaven ! Methinks I see some men lying in their beds,", "And some skylarking, no doubt, and not a soul dreads", "The coming avalanche that was to seal their doom,", "Until down came the mighty fabric of the engine room.", "", "Then death leaped on them from all quarters in a moment,", "And there were explosions of magazines and boilers rent;", "And the fire and steam and water beat out all life,", "But I hope the drowned ones are in the better world free from strife.", "", "Sir George Tyron was on the bridge at the moment of the accident", "With folded arms, seemingly quite content;", "And seeing the vessel couldn't be saved he remained till the last,", "And went down with the \"Victoria\" when all succour was past.", "", "Methinks I see him on the bridge like a hero brave,", "And the ship slowly sinking into the briny wave;", "And when the men cried, \"Save yourselves without delay,\"", "He told them to save themselves, he felt no dismay.", "", "'Twas only those that leaped from the vessel at the first alarm,", "Luckily so, that were saved from any harm", "By leaping into the boats o'er the vessel's side,", "Thanking God they had escaped as o'er the smooth water they did glide.", "", "At Whitehall, London, mothers and fathers did call,", "And the pitiful scene did the spectators' hearts appal;", "But the most painful case was the mother of J. P. Scarlet,", "Who cried, \"Oh, Heaven, the loss of my son I'll never forget.\"", "", "Oh, Heaven! Befriend the bereaved ones, hard is their fate,", "Which I am sorry at heart to relate;", "But I hope God in His goodness will provide for them,", "Especially the widows, for the loss of their men.", "", "Alas! Britannia now will mourn the loss of her naval commander,", "Who was as brave as the great Alexander;", "And to his honour be it fearlessly told,", "Few men would excel this hero bold.", "", "Alas! 'Tis sad to be buried in eighty fathoms of Syrian sea,", "Which will hide the secret of the \"Victoria\" to all eternity;", "Which causes Britannia's sorrow to be profound", "For the brave British Tars that have been drowned." ], "linecount": "56" }, { "title": "Broughty Ferry", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Ancient Castle of Broughty Ferry", "With walls as strong as Londonderry;", "Near by the sea-shore,", "Where oft is heard and has been heard the cannon's roar", "In the present day and days of yore,", "Loudly echoing from shore to shore.", "", "From your impregnable ramparts high", "Like the loud thunder in the sky", "Enough to frighten a foreign foe away", "That would dare to come up the river Tay,", "To lay siege to Bonnie Dundee,", "I'm sure your cannon-balls wouId make them flee--", "", "Home again to their own land", "Because your cannon shot they could not withstand,", "They would soon be glad to get away", "From the beautiful shores of the silvery Tay.", "", "Ancient Castle, near by Tayside,", "The soldiers ought to feel happy that in you reside,", "Because from the top they can have a view of Fife,", "Which ought to drown their sorrow and give them fresh life,", "And make their spirits feel light and gay", "As they view the beautiful scenery of the silvery Tay.", "", "The village of Broughty Ferry is most beautiful to see,", "With its stately mansions and productive fishery,", "Which is a great boon to the villagers and the people of Dundee,", "And ought to make them thankful, and unto God to pray", "For creating plenty of fish for them in the beautiful Tay.", "", "And the city of Dundee seems beautiful to the eye", "With her mill stacks and Old Steeple so high,", "Which can be seen on a clear summer day", "From the top of Broughty Castle near the mouth of Tay.", "", "Then there's beautiful Reres Hill,", "Where the people can ramble at their will", "Amongst its beautiful shrubberies and trees so green", "Which in the summer season is most charming to be seen,", "And ought to drive dull care away,", "Because the people can see every clear day", "From the top the ships sailing on the silvery Tay." ], "linecount": "38" }, { "title": "The Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay!", "With your numerous arches and pillars in so grand array", "And your central girders, which seem to the eye", "To be almost towering to the sky.", "The greatest wonder of the day,", "And a great beautification to the River Tay,", "Most beautiful to be seen,", "Near by Dundee and the Magdalen Green.", "", "Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay!", "That has caused the Emperor of Brazil to leave", "His home far away, incognito in his dress,", "And view thee ere he passed along en route to Inverness.", "", "Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay!", "The longest of the present day", "That has ever crossed o'er a tidal river stream,", "Most gigantic to be seen,", "Near by Dundee and the Magdalen Green.", "", "Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay!", "Which will cause great rejoicing on the opening day", "And hundreds of people will come from far away,", "Also the Queen, most gorgeous to be seen,", "Near by Dundee and the Magdalen Green.", "", "Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay!", "And prosperity to Provost Cox, who has given", "Thirty thousand pounds and upwards away", "In helping to erect the Bridge of the Tay,", "Most handsome to be seen,", "Near by Dundee and the Magdalen Green.", "", "Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay!", "I hope that God will protect all passengers", "By night and by day,", "And that no accident will befall them while crossing", "The Bridge of the Silvery Tay,", "For that would be most awful to be seen", "Near by Dundee and the Magdalen Green.", "", "Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay!", "And prosperity to Messrs Bouche and Grothe,", "The famous engineers of the present day,", "Who have succeeded in erecting the Railway", "Bridge of the Silvery Tay,", "Which stands unequalled to be seen", "Near by Dundee and the Magdalen Green." ], "linecount": "42" }, { "title": "Oban", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Oh! beautiful Oban with your lovely bay,", "Your surroundings are magnificent on a fine summer-day;", "There the lover of the picturesque can behold,", "As the sun goes down, the scenery glittering like gold.", "", "And on a calm evening, behind the village let him climb the hill,", "And as he watches the sun go down, with delight his heart will fill", "As he beholds the sun casting a golden track across the sea,", "Clothing the dark mountains of Mull with crimson brilliancy.", "", "And on a sunny morning 'tis delightful to saunter up the Dunstaffnage road,", "Where the green trees spread out their branches so broad;", "And as you pass the Lovers' Loan your spirits feel gay", "As you see the leaflet float lightly.on the sunny pathway.", "", "And when you reach the little gate on the right hand,", "Then turn and feast your eyes on the scene most grand,", "And there you will see the top of Balloch-an-Righ to your right,", "Until at last you will exclaim, Oh! what a beautiful sight!", "", "And your mind with wonder it must fill", "As you follow the road a couple of miles further, till", "You can see Bennefure Loch on the left hand,", "And the Castle of Dunstaffnage most ancient and grand.", "", "Then go and see the waters of Loch Etive leaping and thundering", "And flashing o'er the reef, splashing and dundering,", "Just as they did when Ossian and Fingal watched them from the shore,", "And, no doubt, they have felt delighted by the rapids' thundering roar.", "", "Then there's Ganevan with its sparkling bay,", "And its crescent of silver sand glittering in the sun's bright array,", "And Dunolly's quiet shores where sea crabs abide,", "And its beautiful little pools left behind by the tide.", "", "Then take a sail across to Kerrera some day,", "And see Gylen Castle with its wild-strewn shore and bay,", "With its gigantic walls and towers of rocks", "Shivered into ghastly shapes by the big waves' thundering shocks.", "", "Then wander up Glen Crootyen, past the old village churchyard,", "And as you pass, for the dead have some regard;", "For it is the road we've all to go,", "Sooner or later, both the high and the low!", "", "And as you return by the side of the merry little stream,", "That comes trotting down the glen most charming to be seen,", "Sometimes wimpling along between heather banks,", "And slipping coyly away to hide itself in its merry pranks.", "", "Then on some pleasant evening walk up the Glen Shellach road,", "Where numberless sheep the green hillside often have trod,", "And there's a little farmhouse nestling amongst the trees,", "And its hazel woods climbing up the brae, shaking in the breeze.", "", "And Loch Avoulyen lies like a silver sea with its forests green,", "With its fields of rushes and headlands most enchanting to be seen,", "And on the water, like a barge anchored by some dreamland shore,", "There wild fowls sit, mirrored, by the score.", "", "And this is beautiful Oban, where the tourist seldom stays above a night,", "A place that fills the lover of the picturesque with delight;", "And let all the people that to Oban go", "View it in its native loveliness, and it will drive away all woe.", "", "Oh! beautiful Oban, with your silvery bay,", "'Tis amongst your Highland scenery I'd like to stray", "During the livelong summer-day,", "And feast my eyes on your beautiful scenery, enchanting and gay." ], "linecount": "56" }, { "title": "Lost in the Prairie", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "In one of fhe States of America, some years ago,", "There suddenly came on a violent storm of snow,", "Which was nearly the death of a party of workmen,", "Who had finished their day's work - nine or ten of them.", "", "The distance was nearly twenty miles to their camp,", "And with the thick falling snow their clothes felt damp,", "As they set out for their camp, which was in a large grove,", "And to reach it, manfully against the storm they strove.", "", "The wind blew very hard, and the snow was falling fast,", "Still, they plodded on, but felt a little downcast,", "And the snow fell so fast they could scarcely see,", "And they began to think they were lost on the wild prairie.", "", "And they suddenly noticed marks of footsteps in the snow,", "Which they found were their own tracks, as onward they did go,", "Then they knew they were lost on the great prairie,", "And what could they do in such a fearful extremity?", "", "Then their hearts began to sink with woe,", "In dread of having to pass the night in the snow,", "And they cried, \"Oh, God help us to find our way,", "Or else we are lost on the lonely prairie.\"", "", "And while they stood shivering with the cold,", "One of the party a particular horse did behold,", "Which was known by the name of Old Jack,", "So to take off his bridle they were not slack.", "", "When the horse was let free he threw up his head and tail,", "Which seemed to say, \"Follow ms, and ye will not fail.", "So come on, boys, and follow me,", "And I'll guide ye home safely.\"", "", "And they cried, \" Old Jack can show us the way,", "So let's follow his tracks without dismay\";", "And with the falling snow they were chilled to the bone,", "But the horse seemed to say, \"I'll show ye home.\"", "", "And at last they gave a shout of delight", "When they saw their camp fire burning bright,", "Which was to them a cheerful sight,", "And they caressed Old Jack for guiding them home that night.", "", "And they felt thankful to God for their safety,", "And they danced around Old Jack with their hearts full of glee,", "And Old Jack became a favourite from that day,", "Because he saved them from being lost on the wild prairie." ], "linecount": "40" }, { "title": "The Christmas Goose", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Mr. Smiggs was a gentleman,", "And he lived in London town;", "His wife she was a good kind soul,", "And seldom known to frown.", "", "'Twas on Christmas eve,", "And Smiggs and his wife lay cosy in bed,", "When the thought of buying a goose", "Came into his head.", "", "So the next morning,", "Just as the sun rose,", "He jump'd out of bed,", "And he donn'd his clothes,", "", "Saying, \"Peggy, my dear.", "You need not frown,", "For I'll buy you the best goose", "In all London town.\"", "", "So away to the poultry shop he goes,", "And bought the goose, as he did propose,", "And for it he paid one crown,", "The finest, he thought, in London town.", "", "When Smiggs bought the goose", "He suspected no harm,", "But a naughty boy stole it", "From under his arm.", "", "Then Smiggs he cried, \"Stop, thief!", "Come back with my goose!\"", "But the naughty boy laugh'd at him,", "And gave him much abuse.", "", "But a policeman captur'd the naughty boy,", "And gave the goose to Smiggs,", "And said he was greatly bother'd", "By a set of juvenile prigs.", "", "So the naughty boy was put in prison", "For stealing the goose.,", "And got ten days' confinement", "Before he got loose.", "", "So Smiggs ran home to his dear Peggy,", "Saying, \"Hurry, and get this fat goose ready,", "That I have bought for one crown;", "So, my darling, you need not frown.\"", "", "\"Dear Mr Smiggs, I will not frown:", "I'm sure 'tis cheap for one crown,", "Especially at Christmas time --", "Oh! Mr Smiggs, it's really fine.\"", "", "\"Peggy. it is Christmas time,", "So let us drive dull care away,", "For we have got a Christmas goose,", "So cook it well, I pray.", "", "\"No matter how the poor are clothed,", "Or if they starve at home,", "We'll drink our wine, and eat our goose,", "Aye, and pick it to the bone.\"" ], "linecount": "52" }, { "title": "The Burns Statue", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "This Statue, I must confess, is magnificent to see,", "And I hope will long be appreciated by the people of Dundee;", "It has been beautifully made by Sir John Steell,", "And I hope the pangs of hunger he will never feel.", "", "This statue is most elegant in its design,", "And I hope will defy all weathers for a very long time;", "And I hope strangers from afar with admiration will stare", "On this beautiful statue of thee, Immortal Bard of Ayr.", "", "Fellow-citizens, this Statue seems most beautiful to the eye,", "Which would cause Kings and Queens for such a one to sigh,", "And make them feel envious while passing by", "In fear of not getting such a beautiful Statue after they die." ], "linecount": "12" }, { "title": "The Death of Captain Ward", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "'Twas about the beginning of the past century", "Billy Bowls was pressed into the British Navy,", "And conveyed on board the \"Waterwitch\" without delay,", "Scarce getting time to bid farewell to the villagers of Fairway.", "", "And once on board the \"Waterwitch\" he resolved to do his duty,", "And if he returned safe home he'd marry Nelly Blyth, his beauty;", "And he'd fight for old England like a jolly British tar,", "And the thought of Nelly Blyth would solace him during the war.", "", "Poor fellow, he little thought what he had to go through,", "But in all his trials at sea he never did rue;", "No, the brave tar became reconciled to his fate,", "And felt proud of his commander, Captain Ward the Great.", "", "And on board the \"Waterwitch\" was Tom Riggles, his old comrade,", "And with such a comrade he seldom felt afraid;", "Because the stories they told each other made the time pass quickly away,", "And made their hearts feel light and gay.", "", "'Twas on a Sunday morning and clear to the view,", "Captain Ward the attention of his men he drew;", "\"Look!\" he cried, \"There's two French men-of-war our right,", "Therefore prepare, my lads, immediately to begin the fight.\"", "", "Then the \" Waterwitch\" was steered to the ship that was most near,", "While every men resolved to sell their lives most dear;", "But the French commander disinclined to engage in the fight,", "And he ordered his men to put on a press of canvas and take to flight.", "", "Then Captain Ward gave the order to fire,", "Then Billy Bowls cried, \"Now we'll get fighting to our hearts' desire\";", "And for an hour a running fight was maintained,", "And the two ships of the enemy near upon the \"Waterwitch\" gained.", "", "Captain Ward walked the deck with a firm tread,", "When a shot from the enemy pierced the ship, yet he felt no dread;", "But with a splinter Bill Bowls was wounded on the left arm,", "And he cried, \"Death to the frog-eaters, they have done me little harm.\"", "", "Then Captain Ward cried, \"Fear not, my men, we will win the day,", "Now, men, pour in a broadside without delay", "Then they sailed around the \"St. Denis\" and the \"Gloire,\"", "And in their cabin windows they poured a deadly fire.", "", "The effect on the two ships was tremendous to behold,", "But the Frenchmen stuck to their guns with courage bold;", "And the crash and din of artillery was deafening to the ear,", "And the cries of the wounded men ware pitiful to hear.", "", "Then Captain Ward to his men did say,", "\"We must board the Frenchman without delay\";", "Then he seized his cutlass as he spoke,", "And jumped on board the \" St. Denis \" in the midst of the smoke.", "", "Then Bill Bowls and Tom Riggles hastily followed him,", "Then, hand to hand, the battle did begin;", "And the men sprang upon their foe and beat them back,", "And hauled down their colours and hoisted the Union Jack.", "", "But the men on board the \"St. Denis\" fought desperately hard,", "And just as the \"St. Denis\" was captured a ball struck Captain Ward", "Right on the forehead, and he fell without a groan,", "And for the death of Captain Ward the men did moan.", "", "Then the first lieutenant who was standing near by,", "Loudly to the men did cry,", "\"Come, men, and carry your noble commander below;", "But there's one consolation, we have beaten the foe.\"", "", "And thus fell Captain Ward in the prime of life,", "But I hope he is now in the better world free from strife;", "But, alas! 'tis sad to think he was buried in the mighty deep,", "Where too many of our brave seamen silently sleep." ], "linecount": "60" }, { "title": "General Gordon, the Hero of Khartoum", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Alas! now o'er the civilised world there hangs a gloom", "For brave General Gordon, that was killed in Khartoum,", "He was a Christian hero, and a soldier of the Cross,", "And to England his death will be a very great loss.", "", "He was very cool in temper, generous and brave,", "The friend of the poor, the sick, and the slave;", "And many a poor boy he did educate,", "And laboured hard to do so early and late.", "", "He was a man that did not care for worldly gear,", "Because the living and true God he did fear;", "And the hearts of the poor he liked to cheer,", "And by his companions in arms he was loved most dear.", "", "He always took the Bible for his guide,", "And he liked little boys to walk by his side;", "He preferred their company more so than men,", "Because he knew there was less guile in them.", "", "And in his conversation he was modest and plain,", "Denouncing all pleasures he considered sinful and vain,", "And in battle he carried no weapon but a small cane,", "Whilst the bullets fell around him like a shower of rain.", "", "He burnt the debtors' books that were imprisoned in Khartoum,", "And freed them from a dismal prison gloom,", "Those that were imprisoned for debt they couldn't pay,", "And sent them rejoicing on their way.", "", "While engaged in the Russian war, in the midst of the fight,", "He stood upon a rising ground and viewed them left and right,", "But for their shot and shell he didn't care a jot,", "While the officers cried, Gordon, come down, or else you'll be shot.", "", "His cane was christened by the soldiers Gordon's wand of victory", "And when he waved it the soldiers' hearts were filled with glee", "While with voice and gesture he encouraged them in the strife,", "And he himself appeared to possess a charmed life.", "", "Once when leading a storming party the soldiers drew back,", "But he quickly observed that courage they did lack,", "Then he calmly lighted a cigar, and turned cheerfully found,", "And the soldiers rushed boldly on with a bound.", "", "And they carried the position without delay,", "And the Chinese rebels soon gave way,", "Because God was with him during the day,", "And with those that trust Him for ever and aye.", "", "He was always willing to conduct meetings for the poor,", "Also meat and clothing for them he tried to procure,", "And he always had little humorous speeches at command,", "And to hear him deliver them it must have been grand.", "", "In military life his equal couldn't he found,", "No! if you were to search the wide world around,", "And 'tis pitiful to think he has met with such a doom", "By a base traitor knave while in Khartoum.", "", "Yes, the black-hearted traitor opened the gates of Khartoum,", "And through that the Christian hero has met his doom,", "For when the gates were opened the Arabs rushed madly in,", "And foully murdered him while they laughingly did grin.", "", "But he defended himself nobly with axe and sword in hand,", "But, alas! he was soon overpowered by that savage band,", "And his body received a hundred spear wounds and more,", "While his murderers exultingly did loudly shriek and roar.", "", "But heaven's will,'tis said, must be done,", "And according to his own opinion his time was come;", "But I hope he is now in heaven reaping his reward.", "Although his fate on earth was really very hard.", "", "I hope the people will his memory revere,", "And take an example from him, and worship God in fear,", "And never be too fond of worldly gear,", "And walk in General Gordon's footsteps, while they are here." ], "linecount": "64" }, { "title": "Richard Pigott, the Forger", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Richard Pigott, the forger, was a very bad man,", "And to gainsay it there's nobody can,", "Because for fifty years he pursued a career of deceit,", "And as a forger few men with him could compete.", "", "For by forged letters he tried to accuse Parnell", "For the Phoenix Park murders, but mark what befell.", "When his conscience smote him he confessed to the fraud,", "And the thought thereof no doubt drove him mad.", "", "Then he fled from London without delay,", "Knowing he wouldn't be safe there night nor day,", "And embarked on board a ship bound for Spain,", "Thinking he would escape detection there, but 'twas all in vain.", "", "Because while staying at a hotel in Spain", "He appeared to the landlord to be a little insane.", "And he noticed he was always seemingly in dread,", "Like a person that had committed a murder and afterwards fled.", "", "And when arrested in the hotel he seemed very cool,", "Just like an innocent schoolboy going to school.", "And he said to the detectives, \"Wait until my portmanteau I've got.\"", "And while going for his portmanteau, himself he shot.", "", "So perished Richard Pigott, a forger bold,", "Who tried to swear Parnell's life away for the sake of gold,", "But the vengeance of God overtook him,", "And Parnell's life has been saved, which I consider no sin.", "", "Because he was a man that was very fond of gold,", "Not altogether of the miser's craving, I've been told,", "But a craving desire after good meat and drink,", "And to obtain good things by foul means he never did shrink.", "", "He could eat and drink more than two ordinary men,", "And to keep up his high living by foul means we must him condemn,", "Because his heart's desire in life was to fare well,", "And to keep up his good living he tried to betray Parnell.", "", "Yes, the villain tried hard to swear his life away,", "But God protected him by night and by day,", "And during his long trial in London, without dismay,", "The noble patriot never flinched nor tried to run away.", "", "Richard Pigott was a man that was blinded by his own conceit.", "And would have robbed his dearest friend all for good meat,", "To satisfy his gluttony and his own sensual indulgence,", "Which the inhuman monster considered no great offence.", "", "But now in that undiscovered country he's getting his reward,", "And I'm sure few people have for him little regard,", "Because he was a villain of the deepest dye,", "And but few people for him will heave a sigh.", "", "When I think of such a monster my blood runs cold,", "He was like Monteith, that betrayed Wallace for English gold;", "But I hope Parnell will prosper for many a day", "In despite of his enemies that fried to swear his life away.", "", "Oh! think of his sufferings and how manfully he did stand.", "During his long trial in London, to me it seems grand.", "To see him standing at the bar, innocent and upright,", "Quite cool and defiant, a most beautiful sight.", "", "And to the noble patriot, honour be it said,", "He never was the least afraid", "To speak on behalf of Home Rule for Ireland,", "But like a true patriot nobly he did take his stand.", "", "And may he go on conquering and conquer to the end,", "And hoping that God will the right defend,", "And protect him always by night and by day,", "At home and abroad when far away.", "", "And now since he's set free, Ireland's sons should rejoice", "And applaud him to the skies, all with one voice,", "For he's their patriot, true and bold,", "And an honest, true-hearted gentleman be it told." ], "linecount": "64" }, { "title": "Burning of the Exeter Theatre", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "'Twas in the year of 1887, which many people will long remember,", "The burning of the Theatre at Exeter on the 5th of September,", "Alas! that ever-to-be-remembered and unlucky night,", "When one hundred and fifty lost their lives, a most agonising sight.", "", "The play on this night was called \"Romany Rye,\"", "And at act four, scene third, Fire! Fire! was the cry;", "And all in a moment flames were seen issuing from the stage,", "Then the women screamed frantically, like wild beasts in a cage.", "", "Then a panic ensued, and each one felt dismayed,", "And from the burning building a rush was made;", "And soon the theatre was filled with a blinding smoke,", "So that the people their way out had to grope.", "", "The shrieks of those trying to escape were fearful to hear,", "Especially the cries of those who had lost their friends most dear;", "Oh, the scene was most painful in the London Inn Square,", "To see them wringing their hands and tearing their hair!", "", "And as the flames spread, great havoc they did make,", "And the poor souls fought heroically in trying to make their escape;", "Oh, it was horrible to see men and women trying to reach the door!", "But in many cases death claimed the victory, and their struggles were o'er.", "", "Alas! 'twas pitiful the shrieks of the audience to hear,", "Especially as the flames to them drew near;", "Because on every face were depicted despair and woe,", "And many of them jumped from the windows into the street below.", "", "The crushed and charred bodies were carried into London Hotel yard,", "And to alleviate their sufferings the doctors tried hard;", "But, alas! their attendance on many was thrown away,", "But those that survived were conveyed to Exeter Hospital without delay.", "", "And all those that had their wounds dressed proceeded home,", "Accompanied by their friends, and making a loud moan;", "While the faces and necks of others were sickening to behold,", "Enough to chill one's blood, and make the heart turn cold.", "", "Alas! words fail to describe the desolation,", "And in many homes it will cause great lamentation;", "Because human remains are beyond all identification,", "Which will cause the relatives of the sufferers to be in great tribulation.", "", "Oh, Heaven! it must have been an awful sight,", "To see the poor souls struggling hard with all their might,", "Fighting hard their lives to save,", "While many in the smoke and burning flame did madly rave!", "", "It was the most sickening sight that ever anybody saw,", "Human remains, beyond recognition, covered with a heap of straw;", "And here and there a body might be seen, and a maimed hand,", "Oh, such a sight, that the most hard-hearted person could hardly withstand!", "", "The number of people in the theatre was between seven and eight thousand,", "But alas! one hundred and fifty by the fire have been found dead;", "And the most lives were lost on the stairs leading from the gallery,", "And these were roasted to death, which was sickening to see.", "", "The funerals were conducted at the expense of the local authority,", "And two hours and more elapsed at the mournful ceremony;", "And at one grave there were two thousand people, a very great crowd,", "And most of the men were bareheaded ad weeping aloud.", "", "Alas! many poor children have been bereft of their fathers and mothers,", "Who will be sorely missed by little sisters and brothers;", "But, alas! unto them they can ne'er return again,", "Therefore the poor little innocents must weep for them in vain.", "", "I hope all kind Christian souls will help the friends of the dead,", "Especially those that have lost the winners of their bread;", "And if they do, God surely will them bless,", "Because pure Christianity is to help the widows and orphans in distress.", "", "I am very glad to see Henry Irving has sent a hundred pounds,", "And I hope his brother actors will subscribe their mite all round;", "And if they do it will add honour to their name,", "Because whatever is given towards a good cause they will it regain." ], "linecount": "64" }, { "title": "Lost in the Prairie", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "In one of fhe States of America, some years ago,", "There suddenly came on a violent storm of snow,", "Which was nearly the death of a party of workmen,", "Who had finished their day's work - nine or ten of them.", "", "The distance was nearly twenty miles to their camp,", "And with the thick falling snow their clothes felt damp,", "As they set out for their camp, which was in a large grove,", "And to reach it, manfully against the storm they strove.", "", "The wind blew very hard, and the snow was falling fast,", "Still, they plodded on, but felt a little downcast,", "And the snow fell so fast they could scarcely see,", "And they began to think they were lost on the wild prairie.", "", "And they suddenly noticed marks of footsteps in the snow,", "Which they found were their own tracks, as onward they did go,", "Then they knew they were lost on the great prairie,", "And what could they do in such a fearful extremity?", "", "Then their hearts began to sink with woe,", "In dread of having to pass the night in the snow,", "And they cried, \"Oh, God help us to find our way,", "Or else we are lost on the lonely prairie.\"", "", "And while they stood shivering with the cold,", "One of the party a particular horse did behold,", "Which was known by the name of Old Jack,", "So to take off his bridle they were not slack.", "", "When the horse was let free he threw up his head and tail,", "Which seemed to say, \"Follow ms, and ye will not fail.", "So come on, boys, and follow me,", "And I'll guide ye home safely.\"", "", "And they cried, \" Old Jack can show us the way,", "So let's follow his tracks without dismay\";", "And with the falling snow they were chilled to the bone,", "But the horse seemed to say, \"I'll show ye home.\"", "", "And at last they gave a shout of delight", "When they saw their camp fire burning bright,", "Which was to them a cheerful sight,", "And they caressed Old Jack for guiding them home that night.", "", "And they felt thankful to God for their safety,", "And they danced around Old Jack with their hearts full of glee,", "And Old Jack became a favourite from that day,", "Because he saved them from being lost on the wild prairie." ], "linecount": "40" }, { "title": "The Crucifixion of Christ", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Composed, by Special Request, 18th June 1890", "", "", "Then Pilate, the Roman Governor, took Jesus and scourged Him,", "And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and thought it no sin", "To put it on His head, while meekly Jesus stands;", "They put on Him a purple robe, and smote Him with their hands.", "", "Then Pilate went forth again, and said unto them,", "Behold, I bring Him forth to you, but I cannot Him condemn,", "And I would have you to remember I find no fault in Him,", "And to treat Him too harshly 'twould be a sin.", "", "But the rabble cried. Hail, King of the Jews, and crucify Him;", "But Pilate saith unto them, I find in Him no sin;", "Then Jesus came forth, looking dejected and wan,", "And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the Man.", "", "Then the Jews cried out, By our laws He ought to die,", "Because He made Himself the Son of God the Most High;", "And when Pilate heard that saying the Jews had made,", "He saw they were dissatisfied, and he was the more afraid.", "", "And to release Jesus Pilate did really intend,", "But the Jews cried angrily, Pilate, thou art not Caesar's friend,", "Remember, if thou let this vile impostor go,", "It only goes to prove thou art Caesar's foe.", "", "When Pilate heard that he felt very irate,", "Then he brought Josus forth, and sat down in the judgment-seat,", "In a place that is called the Pavement,", "While the Blessed Saviour stood calm and content.", "", "The presence of His enemies did not Him appal,", "When Pilate asked of Him, before them all,", "Whence art Thou, dost say from on High?", "But Jesus, the Lamb of God, made no reply.", "", "Then saith Pilate unto Him, Speakest Thou not unto me,", "Remember, I have the power to crucify Thee;", "But Jesus answered, Thou hast no power at all against me,", "Except from above it were given to thee.", "", "Then Pilate to the Jews loudly cried,", "Take Him away to be crucified;", "Then the soldiers took Jesus and led Him away,", "And He, bearing His Cross, without dismay.", "", "And they led Him to a place called Golgotha,", "But the Saviour met His fate without any awe,", "And there crucified Him with two others, one on either side,", "And Jesus in the midst, whilst the Jews did Him deride.", "", "Then Pilate tried to pacify the Jews, they felt so morose,", "And he wrote a title, and put it on the Cross;", "And the title he wrote did the Jews amuse,", "The writing was, Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.", "", "This title read many of the Jews without any pity;", "And the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city;", "And the title was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin,", "And while reading the title the Jews did laugh and grin.", "", "While on the Cross the sun refused to shine,", "And there was total darkness for a long time;", "The reason was God wanted to hide His wounds from view,", "And He kept the blessed sun from breaking through.", "", "And to quench His thirst they gave Him vinegar and hyssop,", "While the blood from His wounded brow copiously did drop,", "Then He drank of it willingly, and bowed His head,", "And in a few minutes the dear Saviour was dead.", "", "Then Joseph of Arimathea sadly did grieve,", "And he asked if Pilate would give him leave", "To take the body of Jesus away,", "And Pilate told him to remove it without delay.", "", "Then Joseph took the body of Jesus away,", "And wound it in linen, which was the Jewish custom of that day,", "And embalmed his body with spices sweet,", "Then laid it in a new sepulchre, as Joseph thought meet.", "", "But death could not hold Him in the grave,", "Because He died poor sinners' souls to save;", "And God His Father took Him to Heaven on high;", "And those that believe in Jesus shall never die.", "", "Oh! think of the precious Blood our Saviour did loss,", "That flowed from His wounds while on the Cross,", "Especially the wound in His side, made with a spear,", "And if you are a believer, you will drop a silent tear.", "", "And if you are not a believer, try and believe,", "And don't let the devil any longer you deceive,", "Because the precious Blood that Jesus shed will free you from all sin,", "Therefore, believe in the Saviour, and Heaven you shall enter in!" ], "linecount": "77" }, { "title": "Beautiful Aberfoyle", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "The mountains and glens of Aberfoyle are beautiful to sight,", "Likewise the rivers and lakes are sparkling and bright;", "And its woods were frequented by the Lady of the Lake,", "And on its Lakes many a sail in her boat she did take.", "", "The scenery there will fill the tourist with joy,", "Because 'tis there once lived the bold Rob Roy,", "Who spent many happy days with his Helen there,", "By chasing the deer in the woods so fair.", "", "The little vale of Aberfoyle and its beautiful river", "Is a sight, once seen, forget it you'll never;", "And romantic ranges of rock on either side", "Form a magnificent background far and wide.", "", "And the numerous lochs there abound with trout", "Which can be had for the taking out,", "Especially from the Lochs Chon and Ard,", "There the angler can make a catch which will his toil reward.", "", "And between the two lochs the Glasgow Water Works are near,", "Which convey water of Loch Katrine in copious streams clear", "To the inhabitants of the Great Metropolis of the West,", "And for such pure water they should think themselves blest.", "", "The oak and birch woods there are beautiful to view,", "Also the Ochil hills which are blue in hue,", "Likewise the Lake of Menteith can be seen far eastward,", "Also Stirling Castle, which long ago the English beseiged very hard.", "", "Then away to Aberfoyle, Rob Roy's country,", "And gaze on the magnificent scenery.", "A region of rivers and mountains towering majestically", "Which is lovely and fascinating to see.", "", "But no words can describe the beautiful scenery.", "Aberfoyle must be visited in order to see,", "So that the mind may apprehend its beauties around,", "Which will charm the hearts of the visitors I'll be bound.", "", "As for the clachan of aberfoyle, little remains but a hotel,", "Which for accomodation which will suit the traveller very well.", "And the bedding thereis clean and good,", "And good cooks there to cook the food.", "", "Then away to the mountains and lakes of bonnie Aberfoyle,", "Ye hard-working sons and daughters of daily toil;", "And traverse its heathery mountains and viewits lakes so clear,", "When the face of Nature's green in the spring of the year." ], "linecount": "40" }, { "title": "The Funeral of the German Emperor", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Ye sons of Germany, your noble Emperor William now is dead.", "Who oft great armies to battle hath led;", "He was a man beloved by his subjects all,", "Because he never tried them to enthral.", "", "The people of Germany have cause now to mourn,", "The loss of their hero, who to them will ne'er return;", "But his soul I hope to Heaven has fled away,", "To the realms of endless bliss for ever and aye.", "", "He was much respected throughout Europe by the high and the low,", "And all over Germany people's hearts are full of woe;", "For in the battlefield he was a hero bold,", "Nevertheless, a lover of peace, to his credit be it told.", "", "'Twas in the year of 1888, and on March the 16th day,", "That the peaceful William's remains were conveyed away", "To the royal mausoleum of Charlottenburg, their last resting-place,", "The God-fearing man that never did his country disgrace.", "", "The funeral service was conducted in the cathedral by the court chaplain, Dr. Kogel,", "Which touched the hearts of his hearers, as from his lips it fell,", "And in conclusion he recited the Lord's Prayer", "In the presence of kings, princes, dukes, and counts assembled there.", "", "And at the end of the service the infantry outside fired volley after volley,", "While the people inside the cathedral felt melancholy,", "As the sound of the musketry smote upon the ear,", "In honour of the illustrous William, whom they loved most dear.", "", "Then there was a solemn pause as the kings and princes took their places,", "Whilst the hot tears are trickling down their faces,", "And the mourners from shedding tears couldn't refrain;", "And in respect of the good man, above the gateway glared a bituminous flame.", "", "Then the coffin was placed on the funeral car,", "By the kings and princes that came from afar;", "And the Crown Prince William heads the procession alone,", "While behind him are the four heirs-apparent to the throne.", "", "Then followed the three Kings of Saxony, and the King of the Belgians also,", "Together with the Prince of Wales, with their hearts full of woe,", "Besides the Prince of Naples and Prince Rudolph of Austria were there,", "Also the Czarevitch, and other princes in their order I do declare.", "", "And as the procession passes the palace the blinds are drawn completely,", "And every house is half hidden with the sable drapery;", "And along the line of march expansive arches were erected,", "While the spectators standing by seemed very dejected.", "", "And through the Central Avenue, to make the decorations complete,", "There were pedestals erected, rising fourteen to fifteen feet,", "And at the foot and top of each pedestal were hung decorations of green bay,", "Also beautiful wreaths and evergreen festoons all in grand array.", "And there were torches fastened on pieces of wood stuck in the ground;", "And as the people gazed on the weird-like scene, their silence was profound;", "And the shopkeepers closed their shops, and hotel-keepers closed in the doorways,", "And with torchlight and gaslight, Berlin for once was all ablaze.", "The authorities of Berlin in honour of the Emperor considered it no sin,", "To decorate with crape the beautiful city of Berlin;", "Therefore Berlin I declare was a city of crape,", "Because few buildings crape decoration did escape.", "First in the procession was the Emperor's bodyguard,", "And his great love for them nothing could it retard;", "Then followed a squadron of the hussars with their band,", "Playing \"Jesus, Thou my Comfort,\" most solemn and grand.", "And to see the procession passing the sightseers tried their best,", "Especially when the cavalry hove in sight, riding four abreast;", "Men and officers with their swords drawn, a magnificent sight to see", "In the dim sun's rays, their burnished swords glinting dimly.", "Then followed the footguards with slow and solemn tread,", "Playing the \"Dead March in Saul,\" most appropriate for the dead;", "And behind them followed the artillery, with four guns abreast,", "Also the ministers and court officials dressed in their best.", "", "The whole distance to the grave was covered over with laurel and bay,", "So that the body should be borne along smoothly all the way;", "And the thousands of banners in the procession were beautiful to view,", "Because they were composed of cream-coloured silk and light blue.", "", "There were thousands of thousands of men and women gathered there,", "And standing ankle deep in snow, and seemingly didn't care", "So as they got a glimpse of the funeral car,", "Especially the poor souls that came from afar.", "", "And when the funeral car appeared there was a general hush,", "And the spectators in their anxiety to see began to crush;", "And when they saw the funeral car by the Emperor's charger led,", "Every hat and cap was lifted reverently from off each head.", "", "And as the procession moved on to the royal mausoleum,", "The spectators remained bareheaded and seemingly quite dumb;", "And as the coffin was borne into its last resting-place,", "Sorrow seemed depicted in each one's face.", "", "And after the burial service the mourners took a last farewell", "Of the noble-hearted William they loved so well;", "Then rich and poor dispersed quietly that were assembled there,", "While two batteries of field-guns fired a salute which did rend the air", "In honour of the immortal hero they loved so dear,", "The founder of the Fatherland Germany, that he did revere." ], "linecount": "86" }, { "title": "A Descriptive Poem on the Silvery Tay", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful silvery Tay,", "With your landscapes, so lovely and gay,", "Along each side of your waters, to Perth all the way;", "No other river in the world has got scenery more fine,", "Only I am told the beautiful Rhine,", "Near to Wormit Bay, it seems very fine,", "Where the Railway Bridge is towering above its waters sublime,", "And the beautiful ship Mars,", "With her Juvenile Tare,", "Both lively and gay,", "Does carelessly lie By night and by day,", "In the beautiful Bay", "Of the silvery Tay.", "Beautiful, beautiful silvery Tay,", "Thy scenery is enchanting on a fine summer day,", "Near by Balnerino it is beautiful to behold,", "When the trees are in full bloom and the cornfields seems like gold -", "And nature's face seems gay,", "And the lambkins they do play,", "And the humming bee is on the wing,", "It is enough to make one sing,", "While they carelessly do stray,", "Along the beautiful banks of the silvery Tay,", "Beautiful silvery Tay,", "Rolling smoothly on your way,", "Near by Newport, as clear as the day,", "Thy scenery around is charming I'll be bound...", "And would make the heart of any one feel light and gay on a fine summer day,", "To view the beautiful scenery along the banks of the silvery Tay." ], "linecount": "29" }, { "title": "The Moon", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful Moon, with thy silvery light,", "Thou seemest most charming to my sight;", "As I gaze upon thee in the sky so high,", "A tear of joy does moisten mine eye.", "", "Beautiful Moon, with thy silvery light,", "Thou cheerest the Esquimau in the night;", "For thou lettest him see to harpoon the fish,", "And with them he makes a dainty dish.", "", "Beautiful Moon, with thy silvery light,", "Thou cheerest the fox in the night,", "And lettest him see to steal the grey goose away", "Out of the farm-yard from a stack of hay.", "", "Beautiful Moon, with thy silvery light,", "Thou cheerest the farmer in the night,", "and makes his heart beat high with delight", "As he views his crops by the light in the night.", "", "Beautiful Moon, with thy silvery light,", "Thou cheerest the eagle in the night,", "And lettest him see to devour his prey", "And carry it to his nest away.", "", "Beautiful Moon, with thy silvery light,", "Thou cheerest the mariner in the night", "As he paces the deck alone,", "Thinking of his dear friends at home.", "", "Beautiful Moon, with thy silvery light,", "Thou cheerest the weary traveller in the night;", "For thou lightest up the wayside around", "To him when he is homeward bound.", "", "Beautiful Moon, with thy silvery light,", "Thou cheerest the lovers in the night", "As they walk through the shady groves alone,", "Making love to each other before they go home.", "", "Beautiful Moon, with thy silvery light,", "Thou cheerest the poacher in the night;", "For thou lettest him see to set his snares", "To catch the rabbit and the hares." ], "linecount": "36" }, { "title": "A Tale of the Sea", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "A pathetic tale of the sea I will unfold,", "Enough to make one's blood run cold;", "Concerning four fishermen cast adrift in a dory.", "As I've been told I'll relate the story.", "T'was on the 8th April on the afternoon of that day", "That the village of Louisburg was thrown into a wild state or dismay,", "", "And the villagers flew to the beach in a state of wild uproar", "And in a dory they found four men were cast ashore.", "Then the villagers, in surprise assembled about the dory,", "And they found that the bottom of the boat was gory;", "Then their hearts were seized with sudden dread,", "when they discovered that two of the men were dead.", "", "And the two survivors were exhausted from exposure, hunger, and cold,", "Which used the spectators to shudder when them they did behold;", "And with hunger the poor men couldn't stand on their feet,", "They felt so weakly on their legs for want of meat.", "", "They were carried to a boarding-house without delay,", "But those that were looking on were stricken with dismay,", "When the remains of James and Angus McDonald were found in the boat,", "Likewise three pieces or flesh in a pool or blood afloat.", "", "Angus McDonald's right arm was missing from the elbow,", "and the throat was cut in a sickening manner which filled the villagers hearts with woe,", "Especially when they saw two pieces of flesh had been cut from each thigh,", "'Twas then the kind-hearted villagers did murmur and sigh.", "", "Angus McDonald must have felt the pangs of hunger before he did try", "to cut two pieces of fiesh from James McDonald's thigh,", "But, Oh heaven! the pangs of hunger are very hard to thole,", "And anything that's eatable is precious unto an hungry soul.", "", "Alas it is most pitiful and horrible to think", "That with hunger christians will each other's blood drink", "And eat each other's flesh to save themselves from starvation;", "But the pangs or hunger makes them mad, and drives them to desperation.", "", "An old American soldier that had passed through the Civil War,", "Declared the scene surpassed anything he's seen by far,", "And at the sight, the crowd in horror turned away,", "which no doubt they will remember for many a day.", "", "Colin Chisholm, one of the survivors was looking very pale,", "Stretched on a sofa at the boarding-house, making his wail:", "Poor fellow! his feet was greatly swollen, and with a melancholy air,", "He gave the following account of the distressing affair:", "", "We belonged to the American fishing schooner named \"Cicely\",", "And our captain was a brave man, called McKenzie;", "And the vessel had fourteen hands altogether", "And during the passage we had favourable weather.", "", "'Twas on March the 17th we sailed from Gloucester on the Wednesday", "And all our hearts felt buoyant and gay;", "And we arrived on the Western banks on the succeeding Tuesday,", "While the time unto us seemed to pass merrily away.", "", "About eight O'clock in the morning, we left the vessel in a dory,", "And I hope all kind christians will take heed to my story;", "Well, while we were at our work, the sky began to frown,", "And with a dense fog we were suddenly shut down", "", "Then we hunted and shouted, and every nerve did strain,", "Thinking to find our schooner but, alas! it was all in vain:", "Because the thick fog hid the vessel from our view,", "And to keep ourselves warm we closely to each other drew.", "", "We had not one drop of water , nor provisions of any kind,", "Which, alas soon began to tell on our mind;", "Especially upon James McDonald who was very thinly clad,", "And with the cold and hunger he felt almost mad.", "", "And looking from the stern where he was lying,", "he said Good bye, mates, Oh! I am dying!", "Poor fellow we kept his body thinking the rest of us would be saved,", "Then, with hunger, Angus McDonald began to cry and madly raved.", "", "And he cried, Oh, God! send us some kind of meat,", "Because I'm resolved to have something to eat;", "Oh! do not let us starve on the briny flood", "Or else I will drink of poor Jim's blood.", "", "Then he suddenly seized his knife and cut off poor Jim's arm,", "Not thinking in his madness he'd done any harm;", "Then poor Jim's blood he did drink and his flesh did eat,", "Declaring that the blood tasted like cream, and was a treat.", "", "Then he asked me to taste it, saying It was good without doubt,", "Then I tasted it, but in disgust I instantly spat it out;", "Saying, if I was to die within an hour on the briny flood,", "I would neither eat the flesh nor drink the blood.", "", "Then in the afternoon again he turned to me,", "Saying, I'm going to cut Jim's throat for more blood d'ye see;", "Then I begged of him, for God's sake not to cut the throat of poor Jim,", "But he cried, Ha! ha! to save my own life I consider it no sin.", "", "I tried to prevent him but he struck me without dismay", "And cut poor Jim's throat in defiance of me, or all I could say,", "Also a piece of flesh from each thigh, and began to eat away,", "But poor fellow he sickened about noon, and died on the Sunday.", "", "Now it is all over and I will thank all my life,", "Who has preserved me and my mate, McEachern, in the midst of danger and strife;", "And I hope that all landsmen of low and high degree,", "Will think of the hardships of poor mariners while at sea." ], "linecount": "88" }, { "title": "Loch Katrine", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful Loch Katrine in all thy majesty so grand,", "Oh! how charming and fascinating is thy silver strand!", "Thou certainly art most lovely, and worthy to be seen,", "Especially thy beautiful bay and shrubberies green.", "", "Then away to Loch Katrine in the summer time,", "And feast on its scenery most lovely and sublime;", "There's no other scene can surpass in fair Scotland,", "It's surrounded by mountains and trees most grand.", "And as I gaze upon it, let me pause and think,", "How many people in Glasgow of its water drink,", "That's conveyed to them in pipes from its placid lake,", "And are glad to get its water their thirst to slake.", "", "Then away to Loch Katrine in the summer time,", "And feast on its scenery most lovely and sublime;", "There's no other scene can surpass in fair Scotland,", "It's surrounded by mountains and trees most grand.", "The mountains on either side of it are beautiful to be seen,", "Likewise the steamers sailing on it with their clouds of steam:", "And their shadows on its crystal waters as they pass along,", "Is enough to make the tourist burst into song.", "", "Then away to Loch Katrine in the summer time,", "And feast on its scenery most lovely and sublime;", "There's no other scene can surpass in fair Scotland,", "It's surrounded by mountains and trees most grand.", "'Tis beautiful to see its tiny wimpling rills,", "And the placid Loch in the hollow of a circle of hills,", "Glittering like silver in the sun's bright array,", "Also many a promontory, little creek, and bay.", "", "Then away to Loch Katrine in the summer time,", "And feast on its scenery most lovely and sublime;", "There's no other scene can surpass in fair Scotland,", "It's surrounded by mountains and trees most grand.", "Then to the east there's the finely wooded Ellen's Isle,", "There the tourist can the tedious hours beguile,", "As he gazes on its white gravelled beautiful bay,", "It will help to drive dull care away.", "", "Then away to Loch Katrine in the summer time,", "And feast on its scenery most lovely and sublime;", "There's no other scene can surpass in fair Scotland,", "It's surrounded by mountains and trees most grand.", "The mountains Ben-An and Ben-Venue are really very grand", "Likewise the famous and clear silver strand;", "Where the bold Rob Roy spent many a happy day,", "With his faithful wife, near by its silvery bay.", "", "Then away to Loch Katrine in the summer time,", "And feast on its scenery most lovely and sublime;", "There's no other scene can surpass in fair Scotland,", "It's surrounded by mountains and trees most grand." ], "linecount": "48" }, { "title": "The Funeral of the Late Ex-Provost Rough, Dundee", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "'Twas in the year of 1888, and on the 19th of November,", "Which the friends of the late Ex-Provost Rough will long remember,", "Because 'twas on the 19th of November his soul took its flight", "To the happy land above, the land of pure delight.", "", "Take him for all in all, he was a very good man,", "And during his Provostship he couldn't be equalled in Great Britain,", "Which I proclaim to the world without any dread,", "Because while Provost he reduced the public-houses to three hundred.", "", "Whereas at the time there were 620 public-houses in the town,", "But being a friend of the temperance cauae he did frown,", "Because he saw the evils of intemperance every day", "While sitting on the bench, so he resolved to sweep public-houses away.", "", "And in doing so the good man, in my opinion, was right,", "Because the evils of intemperance is an abomination in God's sight;", "And all those that get drunk are enemies to Him,", "Likewise enemies to Christ's kingdom, which is a great sin.", "", "The late Ex-Provost Rough was President of the Dundee Temperance Society,", "An office which he filled with great ability;", "Besides Vice-President of the Scottish Temperance League for many years,", "And no doubt the friends of temperance for his loss will shed tears.", "", "Because many a hungry soul he relieved while in distress,", "And for doing so I hope the Lord will him bless,", "For his kindness towards the poor people in Dundee,", "Besides for his love towards the temperance cause, and his integrity.", "", "And when the good man's health began to decline", "The doctor ordered him to take each day two glasses of wine,", "But he soon saw the evil of it, and from it he shrunk,", "The noble old patriarch, for fear of getting drunk.", "", "And although the doctor advised him to continue taking the wine,", "Still the hero of the temperance cause did decline,", "And told the doctor he wouldn't of wine take any more,", "So in a short time his spirit fled to heaven, where all troubles are o'er.", "", "I'm sure very little good emanates from strong drink,", "And many people, alas! it leads to hell's brink!", "Some to the scaffold, and some to a pauper's grave,", "Whereas if they would abstain from drink, Christ would them save.", "", "'Twas on Friday afternoon, in November the 23rd day,", "That the funeral cortege to the Western Cemetery wended its way,", "Accompanied by the Magistrates, and amongst those present were-", "Bailie Macdonald and Bailie Black, also Lord Provost Hunter I do declare.", "", "There were also Bailie Foggie, Bailie Craig, and Bailie Stephenson,", "And Ex-Provost Moncur, and Ex-Provost Ballingall representing the Royal Orphan Institution;", "Besides there were present the Rev. J. Jenkins and the Rev. J. Masson,", "With grief depicted in their faces and seemingly woe-begone.", "", "There were also Mr Henry Adams, representing the Glover trade,", "Also Mr J. Carter, who never was afraid", "To denounce strong drink, and to warn the people from it to flee,", "While agent of the Temperance Society in Dundee.", "", "And when the funeral cortege arrived at the Western burying-ground,", "Then the clergyman performed the funeral service with a solemn sound;", "While from the eyes of the spectators fell many a tear", "For the late Ex-Provost Rough they loved so dear.", "", "And when the coffin was lowered into its house of clay,", "Then the friends of the deceased homewards wended their way,", "Conversing on the good qualities of the good man,", "Declaring that the late Ex-Provost Rough couldn't be equalled in Great Britain." ], "linecount": "56" }, { "title": "Loch Ness", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful Loch Ness,", "The truth to express,", "Your landscapes are lovely and gay,", "Along each side of your waters, to Fort Augustus all the way,", "Your scenery is romantic...", "With rocks and hills gigantic...", "Enough to make one frantic,", "As they view thy beautiful heathery hills,", "And their clear crystal rills,", "And the beautiful woodlands so green,", "On a fine summer day...", "From Inverneaa all the way...", "Where the deer and the doe together doth play;", "And the beautiful Falls of Foyers with its cystal spray,", "As clear as the day,", "Enchanting and gay,", "To the traveller as he gazes thereon,", "That he feels amazed with delight,", "To see the water falling from such a height,", "That his heed feels giddy with the scene,", "As he views the Falls of Foyers and the woodlands so green,", "That he exclaims in an ecstasy of delight -", "Oh, beautiful Loch Ness!", "I must sincerely confess,", "That you are the most beautiful to behold,", "With your lovely landscapes and water so cold.", "And as he turns from the scene, he says with a sigh-", "Oh, beautiful Loch Ness! I must bid you good-bye." ], "linecount": "28" }, { "title": "An Autumn Reverie", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Alas! Beautiful Summer now hath fled,", "And the face of Nature doth seem dead,", "And the leaves are withered, and falling off the trees,", "By the nipping and chilling autumnal breeze.", "", "The pleasures of the little birds are all fled,", "And with the cold many of them will be found dead,", "Because the leaves of the trees are scattered in the blast,", "And makes the feathered creatures feel downcast.", "", "Because there are no leaves on the trees to shield them from the storm", "On a windy, and rainy, cloudy morn;", "Which makes their little hearts throb with pain,", "By the chilling blast and the pitiless rain.", "", "But still they are more contented than the children of God,", "As long as they can pick up a worm from the sod,", "Or anything they can get to eat,", "Just, for instance, a stale crust of bread or a grain of wheat.", "", "Oh! Think of the little birds in the time of the snow,", "Also of the little street waifs, that are driven to and fro,", "And trembling in the cold blast, and chilled to the bone,", "For the want of food and clothing, and a warm home.", "", "Besides think of the sorrows of the wandering poor,", "That are wandering in the cold blast from door to door;", "And begging, for Heaven's sake, a crust of bread,", "And alas! Not knowing where to lay their head.", "", "While the rich are well fed and covered from the cold,", "While the poor are starving, both young and old;", "Alas! It is the case in this boasted Christian land,", "Where as the rich are told to be kind to the poor, is God's command.", "", "Oh! Think of the working man when he's no work to do,", "Who's got a wife and family, perhaps four or two,", "And the father searching for work, and no work can be had,", "The thought, I'm sure, 'tis enough to drive the poor man mad.", "", "Because for his wife and family he must feel,", "And perhaps the thought thereof will cause him to steal", "Bread for his family, that are starving at home,", "While the thought thereof makes him sigh heavily and groan.", "", "Alas! The pangs of hunger are very hard to hide,", "And few people can their temper control,", "Or become reconciled to their fate,", "Especially when they cannot find anything to eat.", "", "Oh! Think of the struggles of the poor to make a living,", "Because the rich unto them seldom are giving;", "Wereas they are told he that giveth to the poor lendeth unto the Lord,", "But alas! they rather incline their money to hoard.", "", "Then theres the little news-vendors in the street,", "Running about perhaps with bare feet;", "And if the rich chance to see such creatures in the street,", "In general they make a sudden retreat." ], "linecount": "48" }, { "title": "The Sorrows of the Blind", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Pity the sorrows of the poor blind,", "For they can but little comfort find;", "As they walk along the street,", "They know not where to put their feet.", "They are deprived of that earthly joy", "Of seeing either man, woman, or boy;", "Sad and lonely through the world they go,", "Not knowing a friend from a foe:", "Nor the difference betwixt day and night,", "For the want of their eyesight;", "The blind mother cannot see her darling boy,", "That was once her soul's joy.", "By day and night,", "Since she lost her precious sight;", "To her the world seems dark and drear,", "And she can find no comfort here.", "She once found pleasure in reading books,", "But now pale and careworn are her looks.", "Since she has lost her eyesight,", "Everything seems wrong and nothing right.", "", "The face of nature, with all its beauties and livery green,", "Appears to the blind just like a dream.", "All things beautiful have vanished from their sight,", "Which were once their heart's delight.", "The blind father cannot see his beautiful child, nor wife,", "That was once the joy of his life;", "That he was wont to see at morn and night,", "When he had his eyesight.", "All comfort has vanished from him now,", "And a dejected look hangs on his brow.", "", "Kind Christians all, both great and small,", "Pity the sorrows of the blind,", "They can but little comfort find;", "Therefore we ought to be content with our lot,", "And for the eyesight we have got,", "And pray to God both day and night", "To preserve our eyesight;", "To be always willing to help the blind in their distress,", "And the Lord will surely bless", "And guard us by night and day,", "And remember us at the judgment day." ], "linecount": "41" }, { "title": "The Death of Lord and Lady Dalhousie", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Alas! Lord and Lady Dalhousie are dead, and buried at last,", "Which causes many people to feel a little downcast;", "And both lie side by side in one grave,", "But I hope God in His goodness their souls will save.", "", "And may He protect their children that are left behind,", "And may they always food and raiment find;", "And from the paths of virtue may they ne'er be led,", "And may they always find a house wherein to lay their head.", "", "Lord Dalhousie was a man worthy of all praise,", "And to his memory I hope a monument the people will raise,", "That will stand for many ages to came", "To commemorate the good deeds he has done.", "", "He was beloved by men of high and low degree,", "Especially in Forfarshire by his tenantry:", "And by many of the inhabitants in and around Dundee,", "Because he was affable in temper. and void of all vanity.", "", "He had great affection for his children, also his wife,", "'Tis said he loved her as dear as his life;", "And I trust they are now in heaven above,", "Where all is joy, peace, and love.", "", "At the age of fourteen he resolved to go to sea,", "So he entered the training ship Britannia belonging the navy,", "And entered as a midshipman as he considered most fit", "Then passed through the course of training with the greatest credit.", "", "In a short time he obtained the rank of lieutenant,", "Then to her Majesty's ship Galatea he was sent;", "Which was under the command of the Duke of Edinburgh,", "And during his service there he felt but little sorrow.", "", "And from that he was promoted to be commander of the Britannia,", "And was well liked by the men, for what he said was law;", "And by him Prince Albert Victor and Prince George received a naval education.", "Which met with the Prince of Wales' roost hearty approbation.", "", "'Twas in the year 1877 he married the Lady Ada Louisa Bennett,", "And by marrying that noble lady he ne'er did regret;", "And he was ever ready to give his service in any way,", "Most willingly and cheerfully by night or by day.", "", "'Twas in the year of 1887, and on Thursday the 1st of December,", "Which his relatives and friends will long remember", "That were present at the funeral in Cockpen, churchyard,", "Because they had for the noble Lord a great regard.", "", "About eleven o'clock the remains reached Dalhousie,", "And were met by a body of the tenantry.", "They conveyed them inside the building allseemingly woe begone", "And among those that sent wreaths was Lord Claude Hamilton.", "", "Those that sent wreaths were but very few,", "But one in particular was the Duke of Buccleuch;", "Besides Dr. Herbert Spencer, and Countess Rosebery, and Lady Bennett,", "Which no doubt were sent by them with heartfelt regret.", "", "Besides those that sent wreaths in addition were the Earl and Countess of Aberdeen,", "Especially the Prince of Wales' was most lovely to be seen,", "And the Earl of Dalkeith's wreath was very pretty too,", "With a mixture of green and white flowers, beautiful to view.", "", "Amongst those present at the interment were Mr Marjoribanks, M.P.,", "Also ex-Provost Ballingall from Bonnie Dundee;", "Besides the Honourable W. G. Colville, representing the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh,", "While in every one's face standing at the grave was depicted sorrow.", "", "The funeral service was conducted in the Church of Cockpen", "By the Rev. J. Crabb, of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, town of Brechin;", "And as the two coffins were lowered into their last resting place,", "Then the people retired with sad hearts at a quick pace." ], "linecount": "60" }, { "title": "Farewell Address at the Argyle Hall", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Fellow Citizens of Dundee.", "I now must bid farewell to ye.", "For I am going to London far away.", "But when I will return again I cannot say.", "", "Farewell! Farewell! to the bonnie banks o' the Silvery Tay.", "Also the beautiful Hill o' Balgay.", "And the ill fated Bridge o' the Silvery Tay.", "Which I will remember when I am far away.", "", "Farewell! to my friends and, patrons all.", "That rallied around me in the Music Hall.", "And those that has rallied around me to night,", "I shall not forget when out of sight.", "", "And, if I ever return to Dundee again,", "I hope it will be with the laurels of fame.", "Plac'd on my brow by dame fortune that fickle Jade.", "And, to Court her favour I am not afraid.", "", "Farewell! to every one in the Argyle Hall.", "That has Come to hear McGonagall.", "Recite, and sing, his Songs to night.", "Which I hope will long be rernember'd when I'm out of sight.", "", "Adieu to all my enemies that want to mock me when passing by.", "But I excuse them for their ignorance and leave them to the most high.", "And, once again, my friends, and enemies. I bid ye all good bye.", "And when I am gone ye will for me heave a sigh :-", "", "I return my thanks to my Chairman and my Committee,", "For the Kindness they have always shown to me.", "I hope the Lord! will protect them when I am far away.", "And prosper them in all their undertakings by night and by day." ], "linecount": "28" }, { "title": "The Burning of the People's Variety Theatre, Aberdeen", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "'Twas in the year of 1896, and on the 30th of September,", "Which many people in Aberdeen will long remember;", "The burning of the People's Variety Theatre, in Bridge Place", "Because the fire spread like lightning at a rapid pace.", "", "The fire broke out on the stage, about eight o'clock,", "Which gave to the audience a very fearful shock;", "Then a stampede ensued, and a rush was made pell-mell,", "And in the crush, trying to get out, many people fell.", "", "The stage flies took fire owing to the gas", "Not having room enough by them to pass;", "And with his jacket Mr. Macaulay tried to put out the flame,", "But oh! horrible to relate, it was all in vain.", "", "Detective Innes, who was passing at the time of the fire,", "Rendered help in every way the audience could desire,", "By helping many of them for to get out,", "Which was a heroic action, without any doubt.", "", "Oh! it was a pitiful and fearful sight,", "To see both old and young struggling with all their might,", "For to escape from that merciless fire,", "While it roared and mounted higher and higher.", "", "Oh! it was horrible to hear the cries of that surging crowd,", "Yelling and crying for \"Help! help!\" aloud;", "While one old woman did fret and frown", "Because her clothes were torn off when knocked down.", "", "A lady and gentleman of the Music Hall company, Monti & Spry,", "Managed to make their escape by climbing up very high", "To an advertisement board, and smashing the glass of the fanlight,", "And squeezed themselves through with a great fight.", "", "But accidents will happen both on sea and land,", "And the works of the Almighty is hard to understand;", "And thank God there's only a few has fallen victims to the fire,", "But I hope they are now in Heaven, amongst the Heavenly choir." ], "linecount": "32" }, { "title": "The Little Match Girl", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "It was biting cold, and the falling snow,", "Which filled a poor little match girl's heart with woe,", "Who was bareheaded and barefooted, as she went along the street,", "Crying, \"Who'll buy my matches? for I want pennies to buy some meat!\"", "", "When she left home she had slippers on;", "But, alas! poor child, now they were gone.", "For she lost both of them while hurrying across the street,", "Out of the way of two carriages which were near by her feet.", "", "So the little girl went on, while the snow fell thick and fast;", "And the child's heart felt cold and downcast,", "For nobody had bought any matchea that day,", "Which filled her little mind with grief and dismay.", "", "Alas! she was hungry and shivering with cold;", "So in a corner between two houses she made bold", "To take shelter from the violent storm.", "Poor little waif! wishing to herself she'd never been born.", "", "And she grew colder and colder, and feared to go home", "For fear of her father beating her; and she felt woe-begone", "Because she could carry home no pennies to buy bread,", "And to go home without pennies she was in dread.", "", "The large flakes of snow covered her ringlets of fair hair;", "While the passers-by for her had no care,", "As they hurried along to their homes at a quick pace,", "While the cold wind blew in the match girl's face.", "", "As night wore on her hands were numb with cold,", "And no longer her strength could her uphold,", "When an idea into her little head came:", "She'd strike a match and warm her hands at the flame.", "", "And she lighted the match, and it burned brightly,", "And it helped to fill her heart with glee;", "And she thought she was sitting at a stove very grand;", "But, alas! she was found dead, with a match in her hand!", "", "Her body was found half-covered with snow,", "And as the people gazed thereon their hearts were full of woe;", "And many present let fall a burning tear", "Because she was found dead on the last night of the year,", "", "In that mighty city of London, wherein is plenty of gold -", "But, alas! their charity towards street waifs is rather cold.", "But I hope the match girl's in Heaven, beside her Saviour dear,", "A bright reward for all the hardships she suffered here." ], "linecount": "40" }, { "title": "A Soldier's Reprieve", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "'Twas in the United States of America some years ago", "An aged father sat at his fireside with his heart full of woe,", "And talking to his neighbour, Mr Allan, about his boy Bennie", "That was to be shot because found asleep doing sentinel duty.", "", "\"Inside of twenty-four hours, the telegram said,", "And, oh! Mr Allan, he's dead, I am afraid.", "Where is my brave Bennie now to me is a mystery.\"", "\"We will hope with his heavenly Father,\" said Mr Allen, soothingly.", "", "\"Yes, let us hope God is very merciful,\" said Mr Allan.", "\"Yes, yes,\" said Bennie's father, \"my Bennie was a good man.", "He said, 'Father, I'll go and fight for my country.", "Go, then, Bennie,' I said, 'and God be with ye.' \"", "", "Little Blossom, Bennie's sister, sat listening with a blanched cheek,", "Poor soul, but she didn't speak,", "Until a gentle tap was heard at the kitchen door,", "Then she arose quickly and tripped across the floor.", "", "And opening the door, she received a letter from a neighbour's hand,", "And as she looked upon it in amazement she did stand.", "Then she cried aloud, \"It is from my brother Bennie.", "Yes, it is, dear father, as you can see.\"", "", "And as his father gazed upon it he thought Bennie was dead,", "Then he handed the letter to Mr Allan and by him it was read,", "And the minister read as follows: \"Dear father, when this you see", "I shall be dead and in eternity.", "", "\"And, dear father, at first it seemed awful to me", "The thought of being launched into eternity.", "But, dear father, I'm resolved to die like a man,", "And keep up my courage and do the best I can.", "", "\"You know I promised Jemmie Carr's mother to look after her boy,", "Who was his mother's pet and only joy.", "But one night while on march Jemmie turned sick,", "And if I hadn't lent him my arm he'd have dropped very quick.", "", "\"And that night it was Jemmie's turn to be sentry,", "And take poor Jemmie's place I did agree,", "But I couldn't keep awake, father, I'm sorry to relate,", "And I didn't know it, well, until it was too late.", "", "\"Good-bye, dear father, God seems near me,", "But I'm not afraid now to be launched into eternity.", "No, dear father, I'm going to a world free from strife,", "And see my Saviour there in a better, better life.\"", "", "That night, softly, little Blossom, Bennie's sister, stole out", "And glided down the footpath without any doubt.", "She was on her way to Washington, with her heart full of woe,", "To try and save her brother's life, blow high, blow low.", "", "And when Blossom appeared before President Lincoln,", "Poor child, she was looking very woebegone.", "Then the President said, \"My child, what do you want with me?\"", "\"Please, Bennie's life, sir,\" she answered timidly.", "", "\"Jemmie was sick, sir, and my brother took his place.\"", "\"What is this you say, child? Come here and let me see your face.\"", "Then she handed him Bennie's letter, and he read if carefully,", "And taking up his pen he wrote a few lines hastily.", "", "Then he said to Blossom, \"To-morrow, Bennie will go with you.\"", "And two days after this interview", "Bennie and Blossom took their way to their green mountain home,", "And poor little Blossom was footsore, but she didn't moan.", "", "", "And a crowd gathered at the mill depot to welcome them back,", "And to grasp the hand of his boy, Farmer Owen wasn't slack,", "And tears flowed down his cheeks as he said fervently,", "\"The Lord be praised for setting my dear boy free.\"" ], "linecount": "60" }, { "title": "A Tale of Christmas Eve", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "'Twas Christmastide in Germany,", "And in the year of 1850,", "And in the city of Berlin, which is most beautiful to the eye;", "A poor boy was heard calling out to passers-by.", "\"Who'll buy my pretty figures,\" loudly he did cry,", "Plaster of Paris figures, but no one inclined to buy;", "His clothes were thin and he was nearly frozen with cold,", "And wholly starving with hunger, a pitiful sight to behold.", "", "And the twilight was giving place to the shadows of approaching night,", "And those who possessed a home were seeking its warmth and light;", "And the market square was dark and he began to moan,", "When he thought of his hungry brother and sisters at home.", "", "Alas! The poor boy was afraid to go home,", "Oh, Heaven! hard was his lot, for money he'd none;", "And the tears coursed down his cheeks while loudly he did cry,", "\"Buy my plaster of Paris figures, oh! please come buy.\"", "", "It was now quite dark while he stood there,", "And the passers-by did at the poor boy stare,", "As he stood shivering with cold in the market square;", "And with the falling snow he was almost frozen to the bone.", "And what would it avail him standing there alone,", "Therefore he must make up his mind to return home.", "", "Then he tried to hoist the board and figures on to his head,", "And for fear of letting the board fall he was in great dread;", "Then he struggled manfully forward without delay,", "But alas! He fell on the pavement, oh! horror and dismay.", "", "And his beautiful figures were broken and scattered around him,", "And at the sight thereof his eyes grew dim;", "And when he regained his feet he stood speechless like one bowed down,", "Then the poor boy did fret and frown.", "", "Then the almost despairing boy cried aloud,", "And related his distress to the increasing crowd;", "Oh! What a pitiful sight on a Christmas eve,", "But the dense crowd didn't the poor boy relieve,", "", "Until a poor wood-cutter chanced to come along,", "And he asked of the crowd what was wrong;", "And twenty ready tongues tells him the sad tale,", "And when he heard it the poor boy's fate he did bewail.", "", "And he cried, \"Here! Something must be done and quickly too,", "Do you hear! Every blessed soul of you;", "Come, each one give a few pence to the poor boy,", "And it will help to fill his heart with joy.\"", "", "Then the wood-cutter gave a golden coin away,", "So the crowd subscribed largely without delay;", "Which made the poor boy's heart feel gay,", "Then the wood-cutter thanked the crowd and went away.", "", "So the poor boy did a large subscription receive,", "And his brother, mother, and sisters had a happy Christmas eve;", "And he thanked the crowd and God that to him the money sent,", "And bade the crowd good-night, then went home content." ], "linecount": "50" }, { "title": "Beautiful Rothesay", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful Rothesay, your scenery is most grand,", "You cannot be surpassed in fair Scotland.", "Tis healthy for holiday makers, to go there,", "For the benefit of their health, by inhaling the pure air", "", "And to hear the innocent birds, on a fine Summer day,", "Carolling their sweet songs, so lively and gay,", "Therefore, holiday makers, be advised by me,", "And visit beautiful Rothesay, by the side of the Sea.", "", "Then sweet Jessie, let us go,", "To Scotland's garden of Eden O!", "And spend the lovely Summer day,", "In the beautiful village of Rothesay.", "", "There you can see the ships, passing to and fro,", "Which will drive away dull care, and woe,", "And, the heavens breath smells wooingly there,", "Therefore, let's away dear Jessie, to inhale the balmy air.", "", "The mansions, there, are most beautiful to be seen,", "Likewise the trees, and shrubberies, green.", "Therefore, we will feel happy and gay,", "Walking hand in hand, together the live long day.", "", "Along the beautiful walks with our hearts fu' cheerie,", "My dear love! Until we grow weary.", "Then, return home at night, with our spirits light and gay,", "After viewing the beautiful scenery of Rothesay." ], "linecount": "24" }, { "title": "The Beautiful Sun", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful Sun! with thy golden rays,", "To God, the wise Creator, be all praise;", "For thou nourisheth all the creation,", "Wherever there is found to be animation.", "", "Without thy heat we could not live,", "Then praise to God we ought to give;", "For thou makest the fruits and provisions to grow,", "To nourish all creatures on earth below.", "", "Thou makest the hearts of the old feel glad,", "Likewise the young child and the lad,", "And the face of Nature to look green and gay,", "And the little children to sport and play.", "", "Thou also givest light unto the Moon,", "Which certainly is a very great boon", "To all God's creatures here below,", "Throughout the world where'er they go.", "", "How beautiful thou look'st on a summer morn,", "When thou sheddest thy effulgence among the yellow corn,", "Also upon lake, and river, and the mountain tops,", "Whilst thou leavest behind the most lovely dewdrops!", "", "How beautiful thou seem'st in the firmament above,", "As I gaze upon thee, my heart fills with love", "To God, the great Creator, Who has placed thee there,", "Who watches all His creatures with an eye of care!", "", "Thou makest the birds to sing on the tree,", "Also by meadow, mountain, and lea;", "And the lark high poised up in air,", "Carolling its little song with its heart free from care.", "", "Thou makest the heart of the shepherd feel gay", "As he watches the little lambkins at their innocent play;", "While he tends them on the hillside all day,", "Taking care that none of them shall go astray.", "", "Thou cheerest the weary traveller while on his way", "During the livelong summer day,", "As he admires the beautiful scenery while passing along,", "And singing to himself a stave of a song.", "", "Thou cheerest the tourist while amongst the Highland hills,", "As he views their beautiful sparkling rills", "Glittering like diamonds by the golden rays,", "While the hills seem to offer up to God their praise.", "", "While the bee from flower to flower does roam", "To gather honey, and carry it home;", "While it hums its little song in the beautiful sunshine,", "And seemingly to thank the Creator divine --", "", "For the honey it hath gathered during the day,", "In the merry month of May,", "When the flowers are in full bloom,", "Also the sweet honeysuckle and the broom.", "", "How beautiful thy appearance while setting in the west,", "Whilst encircled with red and azure, 'tis then thou look'st best!", "Then let us all thank God for thy golden light", "In our prayers every morning and night!" ], "linecount": "52" }, { "title": "Balmoral Castle", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful Balmoral Castle,", "Most handsome to be seen,", "Highland home of the Empress of India,", "Great Britain's Queen.", "", "Your woods and waters and", "Mountains high are most", "Beautiful to see,", "Near by Balmoral Castle", "And the dark river Dee.", "", "Then there's the hill of Cairngorm", "To be seen from afar,", "And the beautiful heathery hills", "Of dark Lochnagar,", "And the handsome little village-", "The Castleton o' Braemar-", "Which is most beautiful to see,", "Near by Balmoral Castle", "And the dark river Dee.", "", "Then there's the handsome little church", "Of Crathie- most beautiful to be seen ;", "And the Queen goes there on Sunday", "To hear the Word of God Most solemn and serene,", "Which is most beautiful to see,", "Nor far from Balmoral Castle", "And the dark river Dee.", "", "Then, when she finds herself", "At leisure, she goes for to see", "Her old female acquaintances", "That lives on the river Dee,", "And reads the Bible unto them,", "Which is most beautiful to see,", "Near by Balmoral Castle", "And the dark river Dee." ], "linecount": "33" }, { "title": "The Beautiful City of Perth", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful Ancient City of Perth,", "One of the grandest on the earth,", "With your stately mansions and streets so clean,", "And situated between two Inches green,", "Which are most magnificent to be seen", "", "The North Inch is beautiful to behold,", "Where the daisies and butter-cups their petals unfold,", "In the warm summer time of the year,", "While the clear silvery Tay rolls by quite near,", "And such a scene will your spirits cheer.", "", "The South Inch is lovely, be it said,", "And a splendid spot for military parade,", "While along the highway there are some big trees,", "Where the soldiers can rest or stand at ease,", "Whichever way their commanders please.", "", "The surrounding woodland scenery is very grand,", "It cannot be surpassed in fair Scotland,", "Especially the elegant Palace of Scone, in history renowned,", "Where some of Scotland's kings were crowned.", "", "And the Fair Maid of Perth's house is worthy to be seen,", "Which is well worth visiting by Duke, Lord, or Queen;", "The Fair Maid of Perth caused the battle on the North Inch", "'Twixt the Clans Chattan and Kay, and neither of them did flinch,", "Until they were cut up inch by inch.", "", "The scenery is lovely in the month of June,", "When trees and flowers are in full bloom,", "Especially near by the Palace of Scone,", "Where the blackbird is heard whistling all day", "While near by rolls on the clear silvery Tay.", "", "Of all the cities in Scotland, beautiful Perth for me,", "For it is the most elegant city that ever I did see,", "With its beautiful woodland scenery along the river Tay,", "Which would make the tourist's heart feel gay,", "While fishing for trout on a fine summer day.", "", "There, the angler, if he likes to resort", "For a few day's fishing, can have excellent sport,", "And while he is fishing during the day,", "He will feel delighted with the scenery along the river Tay.", "And the fish he catches will drive dull care away,", "And his toil will be rewarded for the fatigues of the day.", "", "Beautiful city of Perth, magnificent to be seen,", "With your grand statues and Inches green,", "And your lovely maidens fair and gay,", "Which, in conclusion, I will venture to say,", "You cannot be surpassed at the present day." ], "linecount": "45" }, { "title": "Beautiful Crief", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Ye lovers of the picturesque, if ye wish to drown your grief,", "Take my advice, and visit the ancient town of Crieff;", "The climate is bracing, and the walks lovely to see.", "Besides, ye can ramble over the district, and view the beautiful scenery.", "", "The town is admirably situated from the cold winter winds,", "And the visitors, during their stay there, great comfort finds,", "Because there is boating and fishing, and admission free,", "Therefore they can enjoy themselves right merrily.", "", "There is also golf courses, tennis greens, and good roads,", "Which will make the travelling easier to tourists with great loads,", "And which will make the bicyclists' hearts feel gay,", "Because they have everything there to make an enjoyable holiday.", "", "The principal river there is the Earn, rolling on its way,", "And which flows from Loch Earn, and joins the silvery Tay", "Above Newburgh, after a course of more than thirty miles;", "And as the tourist views the scene with joy he smiles.", "", "The princely domain of Drummond Castle is most beautiful to be seen,", "Especially when the woody landscape is blown full green,", "And from the entrance gate to the castle an avenue extends all the way,", "And to view the branches of the frees interlacing makes the heart feel gay.", "", "Drummond Castle's flowery gardens are really very grand;", "They cannot be surpassed in Great Britain,", "And in the summer-time the bee and the butterfly are there on the wing,", "And with the carolling of birds the gardens doth ring.", "", "And from Knock Hill on the north and west,", "The view from its summit is considered the best;", "Because the Grampians and the Ochils can be seen,", "While the beautiful rich fertile valley lies between.", "", "And there are many seats where the weary traveller can rest,", "And there is also a fountain of water, the very best,", "While visitors can drink of while resting there,", "And gaze on the magnificent scenery and inhale the pure air.", "", "Then there's Lady Mary's Walk near the Bridge of Turret,", "Which I hope visitors will go and see and not forget,", "Because near by grows a magnificent oak most lovely to see,", "Which is known by the name of Eppie Callum's Tree.", "", "And at each end of this walk the visitors can ascend Laggan Hill,", "And as they view the woods and fields with joy their hearts", "And they will find seats plenteous on this elevated bower,", "On which they may rest and wile away the hour.", "", "The Hydropathic is situated on an eminence most grand,", "And is one of the largest buildings in fair Scotland;", "And capable of accommodating five hundred visitors, who often call there,", "To recuperate their health and breathe the fragrant air.", "", "Then there's Abercairny, which is most beautiful to view,", "And Her Majesty the Queen visited the grounds in 1842;", "And the park and the trees has the aspect of a southern scene,", "And the lovely appearance of it gladdened the heart of our Queen.", "", "Then there's the village of Foulis, which tourists ought to see,", "Because the scenery there is charming and pretty;", "And there's a sycamore tree there that was planted 300 years ago,", "And I'm sure the sight thereof will please both high and low.", "", "Therefore, in conclusion, to all lovers of the beautiful I will say,", "If ye really wish to spend an enjoyable holiday,", "I would recommend Crieff for lovely scenery and pure air;", "Besides, the climate gives health to many visitors during their stay there." ], "linecount": "56" }, { "title": "The Destroying Angel", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "I dreamt a dream the other night", "That an Angel appeared to me, clothed in white.", "Oh! it was a beautiful sight,", "Such as filled my heart with delight.", "", "And in her hand she held a flaming brand,", "Which she waved above her head most grand;", "And on me she glared with love-beaming eyes,", "Then she commanded me from my bed to arise.", "", "And in a sweet voice she said, \"You must follow me,", "And in a short time you shall see", "The destruction of all the public-houses in the city,", "Which is, my friend, the God of Heaven's decree.\"", "", "Then from my bed in fear I arose,", "And quickly donned on my clothes;", "And when that was done she said, \" Follow me", "Direct to the High Street, fearlessly.\"", "", "So with the beautiful Angel away I did go,", "And when we arrived at the High Street, Oh! what a show,", "I suppose there were about five thousand men there,", "All vowing vengeance against the publicans, I do declare.", "", "Then the Angel cried with a solemn voice aloud", "To that vast end Godly assembled crowd,", "\"Gentlemen belonging the fair City of Dundee,", "Remember I have been sent here by God to warn ye.", "", "\"That by God's decree ye must take up arms and follow me", "And wreck all the public-houses in this fair City,", "Because God cannot countenance such dens of iniquity.", "Therefore, friends of God, come, follow me.", "", "\"Because God has said there's no use preaching against strong drink,", "Therefore, by taking up arms against it, God does think,", "That is the only and the effectual cure", "To banish it from the land, He is quite sure.", "", "\"Besides, it has been denounced in Dundee for fifty years", "By the friends of Temperance, while oft they have shed tears.", "Therefore, God thinks there's no use denouncing it any longer,", "Because the more that's said against it seemingly it grows stronger.\"", "", "And while the Angel was thus addressing the people,", "The Devil seemed to be standing on the Townhouse Steeple,", "Foaming at the mouth with rage, and seemingly much annoyed,", "And kicking the Steeple because the public-houses wore going to be destroyed.", "", "Then the Angel cried, \" Satan, avaunt! begone!\"", "Then he vanished in the flame, to the amazement of everyone;", "And waving aloft the flaming brand,", "That she carried in her right hand", "", "She cried, \"Now, friends of the Temperance cause, follow me:", "For remember if's God's high decree", "To destroy all the public-houses in this fair City;", "Therefore, friends of God, let's commence this war immediately.\"", "", "Then from the High Street we all did retire,", "As the Angel, sent by God, did desire;", "And along the Perth Road we all did go,", "While the Angel set fire to the public-houses along that row.", "", "And when the Perth Road public-houses were fired, she cried, \" Follow me,", "And next I'll fire the Hawkhill public-houses instantly.\"", "Then away we went with the Angel, without dread or woe,", "And she fired the IEawkhill public-houses as onward we did go.", "", "Then she cried, \"Let's on to the Scouringburn, in God's name.\"", "And away to the Scouringburn we went, with our hearts aflame,", "As the destroying Angel did command.", "And when there she fired the public-houses, which looked very grand.", "", "And when the public-houses there were blazing like a kiln,", "She cried, \" Now, my friends, we'll march to the Bonnet Hill,", "And we'll fire the dens of iniquity without dismay,", "Therefore let's march on, my friends, without delay.\"", "", "And when we arrived at the Bonnet Hill,", "The Angel fired the public-houses, as she did well.", "Then she cried, \"We'll leave them now to their fate,", "And march on to the Murraygate.\"", "", "Then we marched on to the Murraygate,", "And the Angel fired the public-houses there, a most deserving fate.", "Then to the High Street we marched and fired them there,", "Which was a most beautiful blaze, I do declare.", "", "And on the High Street, old men and women were gathered there,", "And as the flames ascended upwards, in amazement they did stare", "When they saw the public-houses in a blaze,", "But they clapped their hands with joy and to God gave praise.", "", "Then the Angel cried, \"Thank God, Christ's Kingdom's near at hand,", "And there will soon be peace and plenty throughout the land,", "And the ravages of the demon Drink no more will be seen.\"", "But, alas, I started up in bed, and behold it was a dream!" ], "linecount": "80" }, { "title": "Beautiful Balmoral", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Ye lovers of the picturesque, away and see", "Beautiful Balmoral, near by the River Dee;", "There ye will see the deer browsing on the heathery hills,", "While adown their sides run clear sparkling rills.", "", "Which the traveller can drink of when he feels dry,", "And admire the dark River Dee near by,", "Rolling smoothly and silently on its way,", "Which is most lovely to see on a summer day.", "", "There the trout do sport and play", "During the live-long summer day;", "Also plenty of salmon are there to be seen,", "Glittering like silver in the sun's sheen.", "", "And the mountains are rugged and wild to be seen,", "But the woodlands are beautiful when Nature's face is green;", "There numerous rabbits do gambol all day", "Amongst the green scrubbery all lively and gay.", "", "There's one charming spot most magnificent to be seen,", "'Tis Balmoral Castle, the Highland Home of our Queen;", "The surrounding scenery is enchanting to see,", "While near by rolls past the lovely River Dee.", "", "Therefore, ye lovers of the picturesque, away and see", "Beautiful Balmoral Castle and its grand scenery,", "And the sight will fill your hearts with glee,", "As ye walk along the bonnie banks o' the River Dee." ], "linecount": "24" }, { "title": "Bonnie Montrose", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful town of Montrose, I will now commence my lay,", "And I will write in praise of thee without dismay,", "And in spite of all your foes,", "I will venture to call thee Bonnie Montrose.", "", "Your beautiful Chain Bridge is magnificent to be seen,", "Spanning the river Esk, a beautiful tidal stream,", "Which abounds with trout and salmon,", "And can be had for the catching without any gammon.", "", "Then as for the Mid Links, it is most beautiful to be seen, And I'm sure is a very nice bowling green,", "Where young men can enjoy themselves and inhale the pure air,", "Emanating from the sea and the beautiful flowers there.", "", "And as for the High Street, it's most beautiful to see,", "There's no street can surpass it in the town of Dundee,", "Because it is so long and wide,", "That the people can pass on either side", "Without jostling one another", "Or going to any bother.", "", "Beautiful town of Montrose, near by the seaside,", "With your fine shops and streets so wide,", "'Tis health for the people that in you reside,", "Because they do inhale the pure fragrant air,", "Emanating from the sea waves and shrubberies growing there;", "And the inhabitants of Montrose ought to feel gay,", "Because you are one of the bonniest towns in Scotland at the present day." ], "linecount": "24" }, { "title": "Edinburgh", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful city of Edinburgh!", "Where the tourist can drown his sorrow", "By viewing your monuments and statues fine", "During the lovely summer-time.", "I'm sure it will his spirits cheer", "As Sir Walter Scott's monument he draws near,", "That stands in East Prince's Street", "Amongst flowery gardens, fine and neat.", "", "And Edinburgh Castle is magnificent to be seen", "With its beautiful walks and trees so green,", "Which seems like a fairy dell;", "And near by its rocky basement is St Margaret's Well,", "Where the tourist can drink at when he feels dry,", "And view the castle from beneath so very high,", "Which seems almost towering to the sky.", "", "Then as for Nelson's monument that stands on Calton Hill,", "As the tourist gazes thereon, with wonder his heart does fill", "As he thinks on Admiral Nelson who did the Frenchmen kill,", "Then, as for Salisbury Crags, they are most beautiful to be seen,", "Especially in the month of June, when the grass is green;", "There numerous mole-hills can be seen,", "And the busy little creatures howking away,", "Searching for worms among the clay;", "And as the tourist's eye does wander to and fro", "From the south side of Salisbury Crags below,", "His bosom with admiration feels all aglow", "As he views the beautiful scenery in the valley below;", "And if, with an observant eye, the little loch beneath he scans,", "He can see the wild ducks about and beautiful white swans.", "", "Then, as for Arthur's Seat, I'm sure it is a treat", "Most worthy to be seen, with its rugged rocks and pastures green,", "And the sheep browsing on its sides", "To and fro, with slow-paced strides,", "And the little lambkins at play", "During the livelong summer day,", "Beautiful city of Edinburgh! the truth to express,", "Your beauties are matchless I must confess,", "And which no one dare gainsay,", "But that you are the grandest city in Scotland at the present day!" ], "linecount": "39" }, { "title": "The Albion Battleship Calamity", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "'Twas in the year of 1898, ond on the 21st of June,", "The launching of the Battleship Albion caused a great gloom,", "Amongst the relatives of many persons who were drowned in the River Thames,", "Which their relatives will remember while life remains.", "", "The vessel was christened by the Duchess of York,", "And the spectators' hearts felt light as cork", "As the Duchess cut the cord that was holding the fine ship,", "Then the spectators loudly cheered as the vessel slid down the slip.", "", "The launching of the vessel was very well carried out,", "While the guests on the stands cheered without any doubt,", "Under the impression that everything would go well;", "But, alas! instantaneously a bridge and staging fell.", "", "", "Oh! little did the Duchess of York think that day", "That so many lives would be taken away", "At the launching of the good ship Albion,", "But when she heard of the catastrophe she felt woebegone.", "", "But accidents will happen without any doubt,", "And often the cause thereof is hard to find out;", "And according to report, I've heard people say,", "'Twas the great crowd on the bridge caused it to give way.", "", "Just as the vessel entered the water the bridge and staging gave way,", "Immersing some three hundred people which caused great dismay", "Amongst the thousands of spectators that were standing there,", "And in the faces of the bystanders, were depicted despair.", "", "Then the police boats instantly made for the fatal spot,", "And with the aid of dockyard hands several people were got,", "While some scrambled out themselves, the best way they could--", "And the most of them were the inhabitants of the neighborhood.", "", "Part of them were the wives and daughters of the dockyard hands,", "And as they gazed upon them they in amazement stands;", "And several bodies were hauled up quite dead.", "Which filled the onlookers' hearts with pity and dread.", "", "One of the first rescued was a little baby,", "Which was conveyed away to the mortuary;", "And several were taken to the fitter's shed, and attended to there", "By the firemen and several nurses with the greatest care.", "", "Meanwhile, heartrending scenes were taking place,", "Whilst the tears ran down many a Mother and Father's face,", "That had lost their children in the River Thames,", "Which they will remember while life remains.", "", "Oh, Heaven! it was horrible to see the bodies laid out in rows,", "And as Fathers and Mothers passed along, adown their cheeks the tears flows,", "While their poor, sickly hearts were throbbing with fear.", "", "", "A great crowd had gathered to search for the missing dead,", "And many strong men broke down because their heart with pity bled,", "As they looked upon the distorted faces of their relatives dear,", "While adown their cheeks flowed many a silent tear.", "", "The tenderest sympathy, no doubt, was shown to them,", "By the kind hearted Police and Firemen;", "The scene in fact was most sickening to behold,", "And enough to make one's blood run cold,", "To see tear-stained men and women there", "Searching for their relatives, and in their eyes a pitiful stare.", "", "There's one brave man in particular I must mention,", "And I'm sure he's worthy of the people's attention.", "His name is Thomas Cooke, of No. 6 Percy Road, Canning Town,", "Who's name ought to be to posterity handed down,", "Because he leapt into the River Thames and heroically did behave,", "And rescued five persons from a watery grave.", "", "Mr. Wilson, a young electrician, got a terrible fright,", "When he saw his mother and sister dead-- he was shocked at the sight,", "Because his sister had not many days returned from her honeymoon,", "And in his countenance, alas! there was a sad gloom.", "", "His Majesty has sent a message of sympathy to the bereaved ones in distress,", "And the Duke and Duchess of York have sent 25 guineas I must confess.", "And £1000 from the Directors of the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company.", "Which I hope will help to fill the bereaved one's hearts with glee.", "", "And in conclusion I will venture to say,", "That accidents will happen by night and by day;", "And I will say without any fear,", "Because to me it appears quite clear,", "That the stronger we our houses do build,", "The less chance we have of being killed." ], "linecount": "73" }, { "title": "Women's Suffrage", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Fellow men! why should the lords try to despise", "And prohibit women from having the benefit of the parliamentary Franchise?", "When they pay the same taxes as you and me,", "I consider they ought to have the same liberty.", "", "And I consider if they are not allowed the same liberty,", "From taxation every one of them should be set free;", "And if they are not, it is really very unfair,", "And an act of injustice I most solemnly declare.", "", "Women, farmers, have no protection as the law now stands;", "And many of them have lost their property and lands,", "And have been turned out of their beautiful farms", "By the unjust laws of the land and the sheriffs' alarms.", "", "And in my opinion, such treatment is very cruel;", "And fair play, 'tis said, is a precious jewel;", "But such treatment causes women to fret and to dote,", "Because they are deprived of the parliamentary Franchise vote.", "", "In my opinion, what a man pays for he certainly should get;", "And if he does not, he will certainly fret;", "And why wouldn't women do the very same?", "Therefore, to demand the parliamentary Franchise they are not to blame.", "", "Therefore let them gather, and demand the parliamentary Franchise;", "And I'm sure no reasonable man will their actions despise,", "For trying to obtain the privileges most unjustly withheld from them;", "Which Mr. Gladstone will certainly encourage and never condemn.", "", "And as for the working women, many are driven to the point of starvation,", "All through the tendency of the legislation;", "Besides, upon members of parliament they have no claim", "As a deputation, which is a very great shame.", "", "Yes, the Home Secretary of the present day,", "Against working women's deputations, has always said- nay;", "Because they haven't got the parliamentary Franchise-,", "That is the reason why he does them despise.", "", "And that, in my opinion, is really very unjust;", "But the time is not far distant, I most earnestly trust,", "When women will have a parliamentary vote,", "And many of them, I hope, will wear a better petticoat.", "", "And I hope that God will aid them in this enterprise,", "And enable them to obtain the parliamentary Franchise;", "And rally together, and make a bold stand,", "And demand the parliamentary Franchise throughout Scotland.", "", "And do not rest day nor night-", "Because your demands are only right", "In the eyes of reasonable men, and God's eyesight;", "And Heaven, I'm sure, will defend the right.", "", "Therefore go on brave women! and never fear,", "Although your case may seem dark and drear,", "And put your trust in God, for He is strong;", "And ye will gain the parliamentary Franchise before very long." ], "linecount": "48" }, { "title": "Beautiful Edinburgh", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful city of Edinburgh, most wonderful to be seen,", "With your ancient palace of Holyrood and Queen's Park Green,", "And your big, magnificent, elegant New College,", "Where people from all nations can be taught knowledge.", "", "The New College of Edinburgh is certainly very grand", "Which I consider to be an honour to fair Scotland,", "Because it's the biggest in the world, without any doubt,", "And is most beautiful in the inside as well as out.", "", "And the Castle is wonderful to look upon,", "Which has withstood many angry tempests in years bygone;", "And the rock it's built upon is rugged and lovely to be seen", "When the shrubberies surrounding it are blown full green.", "", "Morningside is lovely and charming to be seen;", "The gardens there are rich with flowers and shrubberies green", "And sweet scented perfumes fill the air,", "Emanating from the sweet flowers and beautiful plants there.", "", "And as for Braidhill, it's a very romantic spot,", "But a fine place to visit when the weather is hot;", "There the air is nice and cool, which will help to drive away sorrow", "When ye view from its summit the beautiful city of Edinburgh.", "", "And as for the statues, they are very grand-", "They cannot be surpassed in any foreign land;", "And the scenery is attractive and fascinating to the eye,", "And arrests the attention of tourists as they pass by.", "", "Lord Melville's Monument is most elegant to be seen,", "Which is situated in St. Andrew's Square, amongst shrubberies green,", "Which seems most gorgeous to the eye,", "Because it is towering so very high.", "", "The Prince Albert Consort Statue looks very grand,", "Especially the granite blocks whereon it doth stand,", "Which is admired by all tourists as they pass by,", "Because the big granite blocks seem magnificent to the eye.", "", "Princes Street West End Garden Is fascinating to be seen,", "With its beautiful big trees and shrubberies green,", "And its magnificent water fountain in the valley below", "Helps to drive away from the tourist all care and woe.", "", "The Castle Hotel is elegant and grand,", "And students visit it from every foreign land,", "And the students of Edinburgh often call there", "To rest and have luncheon, at a very cheap fare.", "", "Queen Street Garden seems charming to the eye,", "And a great boon it is to the tenantry near by,", "As they walk along the grand gravel walks near there,", "Amongst the big trees and shrubberies, and inhale pure air.", "", "Then, all ye tourists, be advised by me,", "Beautiful Edinburgh ye ought to go and see.", "It's the only city I know of where ye can wile away the time", "By viewing its lovely scenery and statues fine.", "", "Magnificent city of Edinburgh, I must conclude my muse,", "But to write in praise of thee I cannot refuse.", "I will tell the world boldly without dismay", "You have the biggest college in the world at the present day.", "", "Of all the cities in the world, Edinburgh for me;", "For no matter where I look, some lovely spot I see;", "And for picturesque scenery unrivalled you do stand.", "Therefore I pronounce you to be the Pride of Fair Scotland." ], "linecount": "56" }, { "title": "Jottings of New York", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Oh, mighty city of New York, you are wonderful to behold--", "Your buildings are magnificent-- the truth be it told--", "They were the only thing that seemed to arrest my eye,", "Because many of them are thirteen storeys high;", "", "And as for Central Park, it is lovely to be seen--", "Especially in the summer season when its shrubberies are green", "And the Burns Statue is there to be seen,", "Surrounded by trees on the beautiful sward so green;", "Also Shakespeare and the immortal Sir Walter Scott,", "Which by Scotchmen and Englishmen will never be forgot.", "", "There are people on the Sabbath day in thousands resort--", "All lov'd, in conversation, and eager for sport;", "And some of them viewing the wild beasts there,", "While the joyous shouts of children does rend the air--", "And also beautiful black swans, I do declare.", "", "And there's beautiful boats to be seen there,", "And joyous shouts of children does rend the air,", "While the boats sail along with them o'er Lohengrin Lake,", "And fare is 5 cents for children, and adults ten is all they take.", "", "And there's also summer-house shades, and merry-go-rounds", "And with the merry laughter of the children the Park resounds,", "During the live-long Sabbath day", "Enjoying themselves at the merry-go-round play.", "", "Then there's the elevated railroads abont five storeys high,", "Which the inhabitants can hear night and day passing by;", "Of, such a mass of people there daily do throng--", "No less than five 100,000 daily pass along;", "And all along the city you can get for five cents--", "And, believe me, among the passengers there's few discontent.", "", "And the top of the houses are mostly all flat,", "And in the warm weather the people gather to chat;", "Besides, on the housetops they dry their clothes;", "And, also, many people all night on the housetops repose.", "", "And numerous ships end steamboats are there to be seen,", "Sailing along the East River water, which is very green--", "Which is certainly a most beautiful sight", "To see them sailing o'er the smooth water day and night.", "", "And as for Brooklyn Bridge, it's a very great height,", "And fills the stranger's heart with wonder at first sight;", "And with all its loftiness I venture to say", "It cannot surpass the new railway bridge of the Silvery Tay.", "", "And there's also ten thousand rumsellers there--", "Oh, wonderful to think of, I do declare!", "To accommodate the people of New York therein,", "And to encourage them to commit all sorts of sin.", "", "And on the Sabbath day ye will see many a man", "Going for beer with a big tin can,", "And seems proud to be seen carrying home the beer", "To treat his neighbours and his family dear.", "", "Then at night numbers of the people dance and sing,", "Making the walls of their houses to ring", "With their songs and dancing on Sabbath night,", "Which I witnessed with disgust, and fled from the sight.", "", "And with regard to New York and the sights I did see--", "Believe me, I never saw such sights in Dundee;", "And the morning I sailed from the city of New York", "My heart it felt as light as a cork." ], "linecount": "57" }, { "title": "Greenland's Icy Mountains", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Greenland's icy mountains are fascinating and grand,", "And wondrously created by the Almighty's command;", "And the works of the Almighty there's few can understand:", "Who knows but it might be a part of Fairyland?", "", "Because there are churches of ice, and houses glittering like glass,", "And for scenic grandeur there's nothing can it surpass,", "Besides there's monuments and spires, also ruins,", "Which serve for a safe retreat from the wild bruins.", "", "And there's icy crags and precipices, also beautiful waterfalls,", "And as the stranger gazes thereon, his heart it appals", "With a mixture of wonder, fear, and delight,", "Till at last he exclaims, Oh! what a wonderful sight!", "", "The icy mountains they're higher than a brig's topmast,", "And the stranger in amazement stands aghast", "As he beholds the water flowing off the melted ice", "Adown the mountain sides, that he cries out, Oh! how nice!", "", "Such sights as these are truly magnificent to be seen,", "Only that the mountain tops are white instead of green,", "And rents and caverns in them, the same as on a rugged mountain side,", "And suitable places, in my opinion, for mermaids to reside.", "", "Sometimes these icy mountains suddenly topple o'er", "With a wild and rumbling hollow-starting roar;", "And new peaks and cliffs rise up out of the sea,", "While great cataracts of uplifted brine pour down furiously.", "", "And those that can witness such an awful sight", "Can only gaze thereon in solemn silence and delight,", "And the most Godfearless man that hath this region trod", "Would be forced to recognise the power and majesty of God.", "", "Oh! how awful and grand it must be on a sunshiny day", "To see one of these icy mountains in pieces give way!", "While, crack after crack, it falls with a mighty crash", "Flat upon the sea with a fearful splash.", "", "And in the breaking up of these mountains they roar like thunder,", "Which causes the stranger no doubt to wonder;", "Also the Esquimaux of Greenland betimes will stand", "And gaze on the wondrous work of the Almighty so grand.", "", "When these icy mountains are falling, the report is like big guns,", "And the glittering brilliancy of them causes mock-suns,", "And around them there's connected a beautiful ring of light,", "And as the stranger looks thereon, it fills his heart with delight.", "", "Oh! think on the danger of seafaring men", "If any of these mighty mountains where falling on them;", "Alas! they would be killed ere the hand of man could them save", "And, poor creatures, very likely find a watery grave!", "", "'Tis most beautiful to see and hear the whales whistling and blowing,", "And the sailors in their small boats quickly after them rowing,", "While the whales keep lashing the water all their might", "With their mighty tails, left and right.", "", "In winter there's no sunlight there night or day,", "Which, no doubt, will cause the time to pass tediously away,", "And cause the Esquimaux to long for the light of day,", "So as they will get basking themselves in the sun's bright array.", "", "In summer there is perpetual sunlight,", "Which fill the Esquimaux's hearts with delight;", "And is seen every day and night in the blue sky,", "Which makes the scenery appear most beautiful to the eye.", "", "During summer and winter there the land is covered with snow,", "Which sometimes must fill the Esquimaux' hearts with woe", "As they traverse fields of ice, ten or fifteen feet thick,", "And with cold, no doubt, their hearts will be touched to the quick.", "", "And let those that read or hear this feel thankful to God", "That the icy fields of Greenland they have never trod;", "Especially while seated around the fireside on a cold winter night,", "Let them think of the cold and hardships Greenland sailors have to fight." ], "linecount": "64" }, { "title": "The Blind Girl", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Kind Christians, pray list to me,", "And I'll relate a sad story,", "Concerning a little blind girl, only nine years of age,", "Who lived with her father in a lonely cottage.", "", "Poor girl, she had never seen the blessed light of day,", "Nor the beautiful fields of corn and hay,", "Nor the sparrows, that lifted their heads at early morn", "To bright Sol that does the hills adorn.", "", "And near the cottage door there was an elm tree;", "But that stunted elm tree she never did see,", "Yet her little heart sometimes felt gay", "As she listened to the thrushes that warbled the live-long day.", "", "And she would talk to the wren when alone,", "And to the wren she would her loneliness bemoan,", "And say, \"Dear little wren, come again to-morrow;", "Now be sure and come, your singing will chase away my sorrow.\"", "", "She was motherless, but she had a drunken father,", "Who in his savage moods drank all he could gather,", "And would often cruelly beat her until she would cry,", "\"Dear father, if you beat me I will surely die.\"", "", "She spent the days in getting ready her father's food,", "Which was truly for her drunken father's good;", "But one night he came home, reeling drunk,", "And the poor child's heart with fear sunk;", "", "And he cried, \"You were at the door when I came up the lane;", "Take that, you good-for-nothing slut; you're to blame", "For not having my supper ready; you will find", "That's no excuse, Sarah, because you are blind.\"", "", "And with a stick he struck her as he spoke", "Across the shoulders, until the stick almost broke;", "Crying aloud, \"I'll teach you better, you little sneak;\"", "And with the beating, Sarah's heart was like to break.", "", "Poor little Sarah had never seen the snow;", "She knew it was beautiful white, some children told her so;", "And in December, when the snow began to fall,", "She would go to the door and make a snowball.", "", "One day she'd been very cheerless and alone,", "Poor child, and so cold, almost chilled to the bone;", "For her father had spent his wages in drink,", "And for want of fire she was almost at death's brink.", "", "Her face was pinched with hunger but she never complained,", "And her little feet with cold were chilblained,", "And her father that day had not come home for dinner,", "And the dull grey sky was all of a shimmer.", "", "So poor Sarah was very sick when her father came home;", "So bad, little dear, that she did sigh and moan,", "And when her father saw her in bed", "He was heart-stricken with fear and dread.", "", "So within a few days poor Sarah did die,", "And for the loss of Sarah the drunken father did cry,", "So the loss of his child soon converted him", "From drinking either whiskey, rum or gin." ], "linecount": "52" }, { "title": "The Late Sir John Ogilvy", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Alas! Sir John Ogilvy is dead, aged eighty-seven,", "But I hope his soul is now in heaven;", "For he was a generous-hearted gentleman I am sure,", "And, in particular, very kind unto the poor.", "He was a Christian gentleman in every degree,", "And, for many years, was an M.P. for Bonnie Dundee,", "And, while he was an M.P., he didn't neglect", "To advocate the rights of Dundee in every respect.", "He was a public benefactor in many ways,", "Especially in erecting an asylum for imbecile children to spend their days;", "Then he handed the institution over as free,--", "As a free gift and a boon to the people of Dundee.", "He was chairman of several of the public boards in Dundee,", "And among these were the Asylum Board and the Royal Infirmary;", "In every respect he was a God-fearing true gentleman,", "And to gainsay it there's nobody can.", "He lived as a Christian gentleman in his time,", "And he now lies buried in the family vault in Strathmartine;", "But I hope his soul has gone aloft where all troubles cease,", "Amongst the blessed saints where all is joy and peace.", "To the people around Baldovan he will be a great loss,", "Because he was a kind-hearted man and a Soldier of the Cross.", "He had always a kind word for every one he met,", "And the loss of such a good man will be felt with deep regret", "Because such men as Sir John Ogilvy are hard to be found,", "Especially in Christian charity his large heart did abound,", "Therefore a monument should be erected for him most handsome to behold,", "And his good deeds engraven thereon in letters of gold." ], "linecount": "28" }, { "title": "Saved by Music", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "At on time, in America, many years ago,", "Large gray wolves wont to wander to and fro;", "And from the farm yards they carried pigs and calves away,", "Which they devoured ravenously, without dismay.", "", "But, as the story goes, there was a negro fiddler called old Dick,", "Who was invited by a wedding party to give them music,", "In the winter time, when the snow lay thick upon the ground,", "And the rivers far and near were frozen all around.", "", "So away went Dick to the wedding as fast as he could go,", "Walking cautiously along o'er the crisp and crackling snow,", "And the path was a narrow one, the greater part of the way", "Through a dark forest, which filled his heart with dismay.", "", "And when hurrying onward, not to be late at the festival,", "He heard the howl of a wolf, which did his heart appal,", "And the howl was answered, and as the howl came near", "Poor Old Dick, fiddle in hand, began to shake with fear.", "", "And as the wolves gathered in packs from far and near,", "Old Dick in the crackling bushes did them hear,", "And they ran along to keep pace with him,", "Then poor Dick began to see the danger he was in.", "", "And every few minutes a wolf would rush past him with a snap,", "With a snapping sound like the ring of a steel trap,", "And the pack of wolves gathered with terrible rapidity,", "So that Dick didn't know whether to stand or flee.", "", "And his only chance, he thought, was to keep them at bay", "By preserving the greatest steadiness without dismay,", "Until he was out of the forest and on open ground,", "Where he thought a place of safety might be found.", "", "He remembered an old hut stood in the clearing,", "And towards it he was slowly nearing,", "And the hope of reaching it urged him on,", "But he felt a trifle dispirited and woe-begone.", "", "And the poor fellow's heart with fear gave a bound,", "When he saw the wolves' green eyes glaring all around,", "And they rushed at him boldly, one after another,", "Snapping as they passed, which to him was great bother.", "", "And Dick sounded his fiddle and tried to turn them back,", "And the sound caused the wolves to leap back in a crack,", "When Dick took to his heels at full run,", "But now poor Dick's danger was only begun:", "", "For the wolves pursued him without delay,", "But Dick arrived at the hut in great dismay,", "And had just time to get on the roof and play,", "And at the strains of the music the wolves felt gay.", "", "And for several hours he sat there in pain,", "Knowing if he stopped playing the wolves would be at him again,", "But the rage of the wolves abated to the subduing strains,", "And at last he was rewarded for all his pains:", "", "For the wedding-party began to weary for some music,", "And they all came out to look for old Dick,", "And on top of the hut they found him fiddling away,", "And they released him from his dangerous position without delay." ], "linecount": "52" }, { "title": "Nora, the Maid of Killarney", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Down by the beautiful Lakes of Killarney,", "Off times I have met my own dear Barney,", "In the sweet summer time of the year,", "In the silvery moonlight so clear,", "I've rambled with my sweetheart Barney,", "Along the green banks of the Lakes of Killarney.", "", "The Lakes of Killarney are most lovely to be seen", "In the summer season when nature's face is green,", "Especially in the beautiful silvery moonlight,", "When its waters do shine like silver bright;", "Such was the time when me and my Barney", "Went to walk by the purty Lakes of Killarney.", "", "My Barney was beautiful, gallant, and gay,", "But, alas, he has left me and gone far away,", "To that foreign country called Amerikay;", "But when he returns we will get married without delay,", "And again we will roam by the Lakes of Killarney,", "Me and my sweetheart, charming Barney.", "", "And until he returns I will feel rather sad,", "For while walking with Barney I always felt glad;", "May God send him home again safe to me,", "And he will fill my sad heart with glee,", "While we walk by the Lakes of Killarney.", "", "I dreamt one night I was walking with Barney,", "Down by the beautiful Lakes of Killarney,", "And he said, \"Nora, dear Nora, don't fret for me,", "For I will soon come home to thee;", "And I will build a nice cabin near the Lakes of Killarney,", "And Nora will live happy with her own dear Barney.\"", "", "But, alas, I awoke from my beautiful dream,", "For, och, if was a most lovely scene;", "But I hope it will happen some unexpected day,", "When Barney comes home from Amerikay;", "Then Barney will relate his adventures to me,", "As we walk by the silvery Lakes of Killarney.", "", "We will ramble among its green trees and green bushes,", "And hear the sweet songs of the blackbirds and thrushes,", "And gaze on its lovely banks so green,", "And its waters glittering like crystal in the moonlight's sheen;", "Och! how I long to be walking with Barney,", "Along the green banks of the Lakes of Killarney.", "", "Of all the spots in Ireland, Killarney for me,", "For 'twas there I first met my dear Barney:", "He was singing, I remember, right merrily;", "And his singing filled my heart with glee,", "And he said, \"Nora, dear Nora, will you walk with me,", "For you are the prettiest girl I ever did see.\"", "", "\"Now, Barney,\" I said, \"you are just mocking me,", "When you say no other girl like me you can see\";", "Then he said, \"Nora, you are the only girl I do love,", "And this I do swear by the saints above,", "I will marry you, dear Nora, without delay,", "When I come home from Amerikay.\"", "", "But when Barney landed in Amerikay,", "He courted another girl without dismay,", "And he married her in the month of May,", "And when I heard it I fainted away;", "So maidens beware of such men as Barney,", "Or else they will deceive ye with their flattering blarney." ], "linecount": "59" }, { "title": "An Address to the New Tay Bridge", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful new railway bridge of the Silvery Tay,", "With your strong brick piers and buttresses in so grand array,", "And your thirteen central girders, which seem to my eye", "Strong enough all windy storms to defy.", "And as I gaze upon thee my heart feels gay,", "Because thou are the greatest railway bridge of the present day,", "And can be seen for miles away", "From North, South, East or West of the Tay", "On a beautiful and clear sunshiny day,", "And ought to make the hearts of the \"Mars\" boys feel gay,", "Because thine equal nowhere can be seen,", "Only near by Dundee and the bonnie Magdalen Green.", "Beautiful new railway bridge of the Silvery Tay,", "With thy beautiful side-screens along your railway,", "Which will be a great protection on a windy day,", "So as the railway carriages won`t be blown away,", "And ought to cheer the hearts of the passengers night and day", "As they are conveyed along thy beautiful railway,", "And towering above the Silvery Tay,", "Spanning the beautiful river shore to shore", "Upwards of two miles and more,", "Which is most beautiful to be seen", "Near by Dundee and the bonnie Magdalen Green,", "", "Thy structure to my eye seems strong and grand,", "And the workmanship most skilfully planned;", "And I hope the designers, Messrs Barlow and Arrol, will prosper for many a day", "For erecting thee across the beautiful Tay.", "And I think nobody need have the least dismay", "To cross o`er thee by night or by day,", "Because thy strength is visible to be seen", "Near by Dundee and the bonnie Magdalen Green.", "", "Beautiful new railway bridge of the Silvery Tay,", "I wish you success for many a year and a day,", "And I hope thousands of people will come from faraway,", "Both high and low without delay,", "From the North, South, East and West,", "Because as a railway bridge thou art the best;", "Thou standest unequalled to be seen", "Near by Dundee and bonnie Magdalen Green.", "", "And for beauty thou art most lovely to be seen", "As the train crosses o'er thee with her cloud of steam;", "And you look well, painted the colour of marone,", "And to find thy equal there is none,", "Which, without fear of contradiction, I venture to say,", "Because you are the longest railway bridge of the present day", "That now crosses o'er a tidal river stream,", "And the most handsome to be seen", "Near by Dundee and the bonnie Magdalen Green.", "", "", "The New Yorkers boast about their Brooklyn Bridge,", "But in comparison to thee it seems like a midge,", "Because thou spannest the Silvery Tay", "A mile and more longer I venture to say;", "Besides the railway carriages are pulled across by a rope,", "Therefore Brooklyn Bridge cannot with thee cope;", "And as you have been opened on the 20th day of June,", "I hope Her Majesty Queen Victoria will visit thee very soon,", "Because thou art worthy of a visit from Duke, Lord or Queen,", "And strong and securely built, which is most worthy to be seen", "Near by Dundee and the bonnie Magdalen Green." ], "linecount": "59" }, { "title": "An All-Night Sea Fight", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Ye sons of Mars, come list to me,", "And I will relate to ye", "A great and heroic naval fight,", "Which will fill your hearts with delight.", "", "The fight was between the French Frigate \"Pique\" and the British Frigate \"Blanche,\"", "But the British crew were bold and staunch;", "And the battle was fought in West Indian waters in the year of 1795,", "And for to gain the victory the French did nobly strive.", "", "And on the morning of the 4th of January while cruising off Gadulope,", "The look-out man from the foretop loudly spoke,", "And cried, \"Sail ahoy!\" \"Where away ?\"", "\"On the lee bow, close in shore, sir,\" was answered without delay.", "", "Then Captain Faulkner cried, \"Clear the decks!\"", "And the French vessel with his eyeglass he inspects;", "And he told his men to hoist the British flag,", "And \"prepare my heroes to pull down that French rag.\"", "", "Then the \"Blanche\" made sail and bore away", "In the direction of the \"Pique\" without delay;", "And Captain Fauikner cried, \"Now, my lads, bear down on him,", "And make ready quickly and begin.\"", "", "It was about midnight when the Frenchman hove in sight,", "And could be seen distinctly in the starlight;", "And for an hour and a half they fired away", "Broadsides into each other without dismay.", "", "And with tne rapid flashes the Heavens were aflame,", "As each volley from the roaring cannons came;", "And the incessant roll of musketry was awful to hear,", "As it broke over the silent sea and smote upon the ear.", "", "The French vessel had nearly 400 men,", "Her decks were literally crowded from stem to stern;", "And the musketeers kept up a fierce fire on the \" Blanche,\"", "But still the \"Blanche\" on them did advance.", "", "And the \"Blanche's\" crew without dismay", "Fired a broadside into the \"Pique\" without delay,", "Which raked her fore and aft, and knocked her to smash,", "And the mizzen mast fell overboard with a terrible crash.", "", "Then the Frenohmen rushed forward to board the \"Blanche,\"", "But in doing so they had a very poor chance,", "For the British Tars in courage didn't lack,", "Because thrice in succession on their own deck they were driven back.", "", "Then \"Brave, my lads!\" Captain Faulkner loudly cries,", "\"Lash her bowsprit to our capstan, she's our prize\";", "And he seized some ropes to lash round his foe,", "But a musket ball pierced his heart and laid him low.", "", "Then a yell of rage burst from the noble crew,", "And near to his fallen body they drew;", "And tears for his loss fell fast on the deck,", "Their grief was so great their tears they conldn 't check.", "", "The crew was very sorry for their captain's downfall,", "But the sight didn't their brave hearts appall;", "Because they fastened the ropes to the \"Pique\" at the capstan,", "And the \"Pique\" was dragged after the \"Blanche,\" the sight was grand.", "", "Yet the crew of the \"Pique\" maintained the fight,", "Oh! most courageously they fought in the dead of night;", "And for two hours they kept up firing without dismay,", "But it was a sacrifice of human life, they had to give way.", "", "And about five o'clock in the morning the French cried for quarter,", "Because on board there had been a great slaughter;", "Their Captain Consail was mortally wounded in the fight", "Along with many officers and men; oh! it was a heartrending sight", "To see the wounded and dead weltering in their gore", "After the cannonading had ceased and the fighting was o'er." ], "linecount": "62" }, { "title": "Glasgow", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful city of Glasgow, with your streets so neat and clean,", "Your stateley mansions, and beautiful Green!", "Likewise your beautiful bridges across the River Clyde,", "And on your bonnie banks I would like to reside.", "", "Chorus --", "", "Then away to the west -- to the beautiful west!", "To the fair city of Glasgow that I like the best,", "Where the River Clyde rolls on to the sea,", "And the lark and the blackbird whistle with glee.", "", "'Tis beautiful to see the ships passing to and fro,", "Laden with goods for the high and the low;", "So let the beautiful city of Glasgow flourish,", "And may the inhabitants always find food their bodies to nourish.", "", "Chorus", "", "The statue of the Prince of Orange is very grand,", "Looking terror to the foe, with a truncheon in his hand,", "And well mounted on a noble steed, which stands in the Trongate,", "And holding up its foreleg, I'm sure it looks first-rate.", "", "Chorus", "", "Then there's the Duke of Wellington's statue in Royal Exchange Square --", "It is a beautiful statue I without fear declare,", "Besides inspiring and most magnificent to view,", "Because he made the French fly at the battle of Waterloo.", "", "Chorus", "", "And as for the statue of Sir Walter Scott that stands in George Square,", "It is a handsome statue -- few with it can compare,", "And most elegant to be seen,", "And close beside it stands the statue of Her Majesty the Queen.", "", "Chorus", "", "And then there's the statue of Robert Burns in George Square,", "And the treatment he received when living was very unfair;", "Now, when he's dead, Scotland's sons for him do mourn,", "But, alas! unto them he can never return.", "", "Chorus", "", "Then as for Kelvin Grove, it is most lovely to be seen", "With its beautiful flowers and trees so green,", "And a magnificent water-fountain spouting up very high,", "Where the people can quench their thirst when they feel dry.", "", "Chorus", "", "Beautiful city of Glasgow, I now conclude my muse,", "And to write in praise of thee my pen does not refuse;", "And, without fear of contradiction, I will venture to say", "You are the second grandest city in Scotland at the present day!" ], "linecount": "43" }, { "title": "Beautiful Newport on the Braes o' the Silvery Tay", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Bonnie Mary, the Maid o' the Tay,", "Come! Let's go, and have a holiday", "In Newport, on the braes o' the silvery Tay,", "'Twill help to drive dull care away.", "", "The scenery there is most enchanting to be seen,", "Especially the fine mansions with their shrubbery green;", "And the trees and ivy are beautiful to view", "Growing in front of each stately home in the avenue.", "", "There the little birds and beautiful butterflies", "Are soaring heavenwards almost to the skies,", "And the busy bees are to be seen on the wing,", "As from flower to flower they hummingly sing,", "", "As they gather honey all the day,", "From flowery gardens of Newport on the braes o' the Tay.", "And as we view the gardens our hearts will feel gay", "After being pent up in the workshop all the day.", "", "Then there's a beautiful spot near an old mill,", "Suitable for an artist to paint of great skill,", "And the trees are arched o'erhead, lovely to be seen,", "Which screens ye from the sunshine's glittering sheen.", "", "Therefore, holiday makers, I'd have ye resort", "To Newport on the braes o' the Tay for sport,", "And inhale the pure air with its sweet perfume,", "Emanating from the flowery gardens of Newport and the yellow broom.", "", "And when bright Sol sinks in the West", "You'll return home at night quite refreshed,", "And dream in your beds of your rambles during the day", "Along the bonnie braes o' the silvery Tay." ], "linecount": "28" }, { "title": "The Funeral of the Late Prince Henry of Battenberg", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Alas! Prince Henry of Battenberg is dead!", "And, I hope, has gone to heaven, its streets to tread,", "And to sing with God's saints above,", "Where all is joy and peace and love.", "", "'Twas in the year of 1896, and on the 5th of February,", "Prince Henry was buried at Whippingham- a solemn sight to see.", "As the funeral moved off, it was a very impressive sight-", "First came the military, and police, and volunteers from the Isle of Wight.", "", "Then came the carriage party of the Scots Guards;", "While the people uncovered their heads as it passed onwards", "And many of them did sob and sigh", "When the gun carriage with the coffin was passing by.", "", "Prince Henry's charger was led by Richter, his stud groom;", "And depicted in the people's faces there was a sad gloom", "When they saw the noble charger of the dead-", "It seemed that all joy from them had fled.", "", "The Queen's carriage was followed by the Princess of Wales, and other Princesses,", "All clad in gorgeous mourning dresses;", "And there was a number of military representatives, which enhanced the scene;", "And as the procession moved along it was solemn in the extreme.", "", "Her Majesty looked very sad and serene,", "Leaning back in her carriage could plainly be seen;", "And the carriage was drawn by a pair of greys in grand harness;", "And Her Majesty seemed to be in deep distress.", "", "By Her Majesty's side sat the Princess Beatrice", "And the two younger Battenberg children, looking very nice;", "And by the coffin walked the elder Prince, immediately", "Between Prince Louis and Prince Joseph, holding their hands tenderly.", "", "The \"Dead March\" was played by the Marine Band;", "And the music was solemn and very grand,", "And accompanied by the roll of muffled drums;", "Whilst among the spectators were heard sighs and hums.", "", "And when the procession arrived at the church of Whippingham,", "Then the coffin was carried inside- of the good man-", "And was then laid in its resting place,", "While sorrow was depicted in every face.", "", "Then there was the firing of guns, with their earthly Thunder", "Which made the people start and wonder;", "And the tolling of the village bells,", "While the solemn music on the air swells.", "", "And the people said, \"Prince Henry was a good man,", "But now he's laid low in the church of Whippingham.\"", "But when the Grim King his dart does throw,", "None can escape death, high or low.", "", "The funeral service was certainly very nice-", "Which was by the request of Princess Beatrice-", "Which was the rendering of Sullivan's anthem, \"Brother, before us thou art gone\"-", "I hope unto thy heavenly home.", "", "No Doubt the Princess Beatrice will mourn for him-", "But to mourn for the dead it is a sin!", "Therefore I hope God will comfort her always,", "And watch o'er her children night and day.", "", "Prince Henry was a God-fearing man-", "And to deny it few people can-", "And very kind to his children dear,", "And for the loss of him they will drop a tear.", "", "His relatives covered the coffin lid with wreaths of flowers,", "While adown their cheeks flowed tears in showers.", "Then the service concluded with \"Christ will gather His own\";", "And each one left with a sad heart and went home." ], "linecount": "60" }, { "title": "The Castle of Mains", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Ancient Castle of the Mains,", "With your romantic scenery and surrounding plains,", "Which seem most beautiful to the eye,", "And the little rivulet running by,", "Which the weary traveller can drink of when he feels dry.", "And the heaven's breath smells sweetly there,", "And scented perfumes fill the air,", "Emanating from the green trees and beautiful wild flowers growing there.", "", "There the people can enjoy themselves", "And wile away the time,", "By admiring the romantic scenery In the beautiful sunshine;", "And pull the little daisy,", "As they carelessly recline", "Upon the grassy green banks,", "Which is most charming to see,", "Near by the Castle of the Mains,", "Not far from Dundee.", "", "Then there's the old burying-ground,", "Most solemn to see,", "And the silent dead reposing silently", "Amid the shady trees,", "In that beautiful fairy dell", "Most lovely to see,", "Which in the summer season", "Fills the people's hearts with glee,", "To hear the birds singing and the humming of the bee." ], "linecount": "26" }, { "title": "Beautiful Comrie", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Ye lovers of the picturesque, away, away!", "To beautiful Comrie and have a holiday;", "Aud bask in the sunahine and inhale the fragrant air", "Emanating from the woodlands and shrubberies there.", "", "The charming village of Comrie is most lovely to be seen,", "Especially in the summer season when the trees are green;", "And near by is Loch Earn and its waters sparkling clear,", "And as the tourist gazes thereon his spirits it will cheer.", "", "Then St. Fillans is a beautiful spot, I must confess,", "It is really a picture of rural loveliness;", "Because out of the quiet lake the river ripples merrily,", "And all round are hills beautiful in shape and nothing uncomely.", "", "The rocky knoll to the south is a most seductive place,", "And in the hotel there visitors will find every solace;", "And the flower-decked cottages are charming to see,", "Also handsome villas suitable for visitors of high and low degree.", "", "Then there's St. Fillan's Hill, a prehistoric fort,", "And visitors while there to it should resort;", "And to the tourist the best approach is from the west,", "Because in climbing the hill his strength it will test.", "", "And descending the hill as best one may,", "The scene makes the tourist's heart feel gay;", "And by the west side is reached a wooded deli,", "And about two hundred yards from that there's St. Fillan's Well.", "", "Oh, charming Comrie! I must conclude my lay,", "And to write in praise of thee I virtually do say", "That your lovely mountains and silver birches will drive dull care away:", "Therefore lovers of the picturesque, away, away!", "", "To beautiful Comrie end have a holidoy,", "And I'm sure you will return with spirits, light and gay,", "After viewing the Sylvan beauties and hoary beeches there,", "Also pines, ferns, and beautiful oaks, I do declare." ], "linecount": "32" }, { "title": "The River of Leith", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "As I stood upon the Dean Bridge and viewed the beautiful scenery,", "I felt fascinated and my heart was full of glee,", "And I exclaimed in an ecstasy of delight,", "In all my travels I never saw such a sight.", "", "The scenery is so enchanting to look upon", "That all tourists will say, \"Dull care, be gone.\"", "'Tis certainly a most lovely spot,", "And once seen it can never be forgot.", "", "Then away! away! to the River of Leith,", "That springs from the land of heather and heath,", "And view the gorgeous scenery on a fine summer day.", "I'm sure it will drive dull care away.", "", "The water-fall near the Bridge is most beautiful to be seen,", "As it falls and shines like crystal in the sunsheen;", "And the sound can be heard all day long,", "While the innocent trouts sing an aquatic song.", "", "The glen is a cool spot in the summer time.", "There the people can be shaded from the sunshine", "Under the spreading branches of the big trees,", "And there's seats there to rest on if they please.", "", "Then near St. Bernard's Well there's a shady bower,", "Where the lovers, if they like, can spend an hour;", "And while they rest there at their ease", "They can make love to each other if they please.", "", "The water of St. Bernard's Well is very nice,", "But to get a drink of it one penny is the price.", "I think in justice the price is rather high,", "To give a penny for a drink when one feels dry.", "", "The braes of the River Leith is most charming to be seen,", "With its beautiful trees and shrubberies green,", "And as the tourist gazes on the river in the valley below,", "His heart with joy feels all aglow.", "", "There the little trouts do sport and play", "During the live-long summer day,", "While the bee and butterfly is on the wing,", "And with the singing of birds the glen doth ring.", "", "The walk underneath the Dean Bridge is lovely to see.", "And as ye view the scenery it will fill your heart with glee.", "It is good for the people's health to be walking there", "As they gaze on the beauties of Nature and inhale pure air.", "", "The Dean Bridge is a very magnificent sight,", "Because from the basement it is a great height.", "And it seems most attractive to the eye,", "And arrests the attention of strangers as they pass by.", "", "The braes of Belgrave Crescent is lovely to see,", "With its beautiful walks and green shrubbery.", "'Tis health for the people that lives near by there", "To walk along the bonny walks and breathe the sweet air.", "", "Therefore all lovers of the picturesque, bo advised by me", "And the beautiful scenery of the River Leith go and see,", "And I am sure you will get a very great treat,", "Because the River of Leith scenery cannot be beat." ], "linecount": "52" }, { "title": "Little Popeet - the Lost Child", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Near by the silent waters of the Mediterranean,", "And at the door of an old hut stood a coloured man,", "Whose dress was oriental in style and poor with wear,", "While adown his furrowed cheeks ran many a tear.", "", "And the poor coloured man seemed very discontent,", "And his grief overcame him at this moment;", "And he wrung his hands in agony wild,", "And he cried, \"Oh! help me, great God, to find my child.\"", "", "\"And Ada, my dear wife, but now she is dead,", "Which fills my poor heart with sorrow and dread;", "She was a very loving wife, but of her I'm bereft,", "And I and my lost child are only left.", "", "And, alas! I know not where to find my boy,", "Who is dear to me and my only joy;", "But with the help of God I will find him,", "And this day in search of him I will begin.\"", "", "So Medoo leaves Turkey and goes to France,", "Expecting to find his boy there perhaps by chance;", "And while there in Paris he was told", "His boy by an Arab had been sold", "", "To a company of French players that performed in the street,", "Which was sad news to hear about his boy Popeet;", "And while searching for him and making great moan,", "He was told he was ill and in Madame Mercy's Home.", "", "Then away went Medoo with his heart full of joy,", "To gaze upon the face of his long-lost boy;", "Who had been treated by the players mercilessly,", "But was taken to the home of Madame Celeste.", "", "She was a member of the players and the leader's wife,", "And she loved the boy Popeet as dear as her life,", "Because she had no children of her own;", "And for the poor ill-treated boy often she did moan.", "", "And when Popeet's father visited the Home,", "He was shown into a room where Popeet lay alone,", "Pale and emaciated, in his little bed;", "And when his father saw him he thought he was dead.", "", "And when Popeet saw his father he lept out of bed,", "And only that his father caught him he'd been killed dead;", "And his father cried, \" Popeet, my own darling boy,", "Thank God I've found you, and my heart's full of joy.\"", "", "Then Madame Mercy's tears fell thick and fast,", "When she saw that Popeet had found his father at last;", "Then poor Popeet was taken home without delay,", "And lived happy with his father for many a day." ], "linecount": "44" }, { "title": "Beautiful Torquay", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "All ye lovers of the picturesque, away", "To beautiful Torquay and spend a holiday", "'Tis health for invalids for to go there", "To view the beautiful scenery and inhale the fragrant air,", "Especially in the winter and spring-time of the year,", "When the weather is not too hot, but is balmy and clear.", "", "Torquay lies in a very deep and well-sheltered spot,", "And at first sight by strangers it won't be forgot;", "'Tis said to be the mildest place in ah England,", "And surrounded by lofty hills most beautiful and grand.", "", "Twas here that William of Orange first touched English ground,", "And as he viewed the beautiful spot his heart with joy did rebound;", "And an obelisk marks the spot where he did stand,", "And which for long will be remembered throughout England.", "", "Torquay, with its pier and its diadem of white,", "Is a moat beautiful and very dazzling sight,", "With its white villas glittering on the sides of its green hills,", "And as the tourist gases thereon with joy his heart fills.", "", "The heights around Torquay are most beautiful to be seen,", "Especially when the trees and shrubberies are green,", "And to see the pretty houses under the cliff is a treat,", "And the little town enclosed where two deep valleys meet.", "", "There is also a fine bathing establishment near the pier,", "Where the tourist can bathe without any fear;", "And as the tourists there together doth stroll,", "I advise them to visit a deep chasm called Daddy's Hole.", "", "Then there's Bablicome, only two miles from Torquay,", "Which will make the stranger's heart feel gay,", "As he stands on the cliff four hundred feet above the sea,", "Looking down,'tis sure to fill his heart with ecstasy.", "", "The lodging-houses at Bablicome are magnificent to be seen,", "And the accommodation there would suit either king or queen,", "And there's some exquisite cottages embowered in the woodland,", "And sloping down to the sea shore, is really very grand.", "", "You do not wonder at Napoleon's exclamation", "As he stood on the deck of the \"Bellerophon,\" in a fit of admiration,", "When the vessel was lying to windbound,", "He exclaimed - \"Oh, what a beautiful country!\" his joy was profound.", "", "And as the tourist there in search of beautiful spots doth rove,", "Let them not forget to enquire for Anstey's Cove,", "And there they will see a beautiful beach of milky white,", "And the sight will fill their hearts with delight.", "", "Oh! beautiful Torquay, with your lovely scenery,", "And your magnificent cottages sloping down to the sea,", "You are the most charming spot in all England,", "With your picturesque bay and villas most grand.", "", "And, in conclusion, to tourists I will say,", "Off! off to Torquay and make no delay,", "For the scenery is magnificent, and salubrious the air,", "And 'tis good for the health to reside there." ], "linecount": "50" }, { "title": "The Summary History of Sir William Wallace", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Sir William Wallace of Ellerslie,", "I'm told he went to the High School in Dundee,", "For to learn to read and write,", "And after that he learned to fight,", "While at the High School in Dundee,", "The Provost's son with him disagree,", "Because Wallace did wear a dirk,", "He despised him like an ignorant stirk,", "Which with indignation he keenly felt,", "And told him it would become him better in his belt.", "", "Then Wallace's blood began to boil,", "Just like the serpent in its coil,", "Before it leaps upon its prey;", "And unto him he thus did say:", "'Proud saucy cur, come cease your prate,", "for no longer shall i wait,", "For to hear you insult me,", "At the High School in Dundee;", "For such insolence makes my heart to smart,", "And I'll plunge my dagger in you heart,'", "", "Then his heart's blood did quickly flow,", "And poor Wallace did not know where to go;", "And he stood by him until dead.", "Then far from him he quickly fled,", "Lamenting greatly the deed he had done,", "the murdering of the Provost's son.", "", "The scene shifts to where he was fishing on day,", "Where three English soldiers met him by the way,", "And they asked him fo give them some fish,", "And from them they would make a delicious dish,", "then Wallace gave them share of his fish,", "For to satisfy their wish;", "But they seemed dissatisfied with the share they got,", "So they were resolved to have all the lot.", "", "Then Wallace he thought it was time to look out,", "When they were resolved to have all his trout;", "So he swung his fishing-rod with great force round his head,", "And struck on of them a blow that killed him dead;", "So he instantly seized the fallen man's sword,", "And the other two fled without uttering a word.", "", "Sir William Wallace of Ellerslie,", "You were a warrior of great renown,", "And might have worn Scotland's crown;", "Had it not been for Monteith, the base traitor knave,", "That brought you to a premature grave;", "Yes! you were sold for English gold,", "And brought like a sheep from the fold,", "To die upon a shameful scaffold high,", "Amidst the derisive shouts of your enemies standing by.", "", "But you met your doom like a warrior bold,", "Bidding defiance to them that had you sold,", "And bared your neck for the headsman's stroke;", "And cried, 'Marion, dear, my heart is broke;", "My lovely dear I come to thee,", "Oh! I am longing thee to see!'", "But the headsman was as stolid as the rock,", "And the axe fell heavily on the block,", "And the scaffold did shake with the terrible shock,", "As the body of noble Wallace fell,", "Who had fought for Scotland so well." ], "linecount": "60" }, { "title": "Young Munro the Sailor", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "'Twas on a sunny morning in the month of May,", "I met a pretty damsel on the banks o' the Tay;", "I said, My charming fair one, come tell to me I pray,", "Why do you walk alone on the banks o' the Tay.", "", "She said, Kind sir, pity me, for I am in great woe", "About my young sailor lad, whose name is James Munro;", "It's he has been long at sea, seven years from this day,", "And I come here sometimes to weep for him that's far, far away.", "", "Lovely creature, cease your weeping and consent to marry me,", "And my houses and all my land I will give to thee,", "And we shall get married without any delay,", "And live happy and contented on the banks o' the Tay.", "", "Believe me, my sweet lady, I pity the sailor's wife,", "For I think she must lead a very unhappy life;", "Especially on a stormy night, I'm sure she cannot sleep,", "Thinking about her husband whilst on the briny deep.", "", "Oh, sir! it is true, what you to me have said,", "But I must be content with the choice I've made;", "For Munro's he's young and handsome, I will ne'er deny,", "And if I don't get him for a husband, believe me, I will die.", "", "Because, when last we parted, we swore to be true,", "And I will keep my troth, which lovers ought to do;", "And I will pray for his safe return by night and by day,", "That God may send him safe home to the banks o' the Tay.", "", "Forgive me, noble heart, for asking to marry you,", "I was only trying your love, if it was really true;", "But I've found your love is pure towards your sailor lad,", "And the thought thereof, believe me, makes my heart feel glad.", "", "As homeward we retraced our steps her heart seemed glad,", "In hopes of seeing again her brave sailor lad,", "He had promised to marry her when he would return,", "So I bade her keep up her spirits and no longer mourn.", "", "Dear creature, the lass that's true to her sweetheart deserves great praise,", "And I hope young Munro and you will spend many happy days,", "For unto him I know you will ever prove true,", "And perchance when he comes home he will marry you.", "", "What you have said, kind sir, I hope will come true,", "And if it does, I'll make it known to you;", "And you must come to the marriage, which you musn't gainsay,", "And dance and rejoice with us on the marriage-day.", "", "When we arrived in Dundee she bade me good-bye,", "Then I told her where I lived, while she said with a sigh,", "Kind sir, I will long remember that morning in May,", "When I met you by chance on the banks o' the Tay.", "", "When three months were past her sailor lad came home,", "And she called to see me herself alone,", "And she invited me to her marriage without delay,", "Which was celebrated with great pomp the next day.", "", "So I went to the marriage with my heart full of joy,", "And I wished her prosperity with her sailor boy;", "And I danced and sang till daylight, and then came away,", "Leaving them happy and contented on the banks o' the Tay.", "", "So all ye pretty fair maids, of high or low degree,", "Be faithful to your sweethearts when they have gone to sea,", "And never be in doubts of them when they are far away,", "Because they might return and marry you some unexpected day." ], "linecount": "56" }, { "title": "Lines in Praise of Professor Blackie", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Alas! the people's hearts are now full of sorrow", "For the deceased Professor Blackie, of Edinboro';", "Because he was a Christian man, affable and kind,", "And his equal in charitable actions would be hard to find", "", "'Twas in the year of 1895, March the 2nd, he died at 10 o'clock.", "Which to his dear wife, and his adopted son, was a great shock;", "And before he died he bade farewell to his adopted son and wife.", "Which, no doubt, they will remember during life.", "", "Professor Blackie celebrated his golden wedding three years ago,", "When he was made the recipient of respect from high and low.", "He leaves a widow, but, fortunately, no family,", "Which will cause Mrs. Blackie to feel less unhappy.", "", "Professor Blackie will be greatly missed in Edinboro;", "Especially those that met him daily will feel great sorrow,", "When they think of his never-failing plaid and hazel rung,", "For, although he was an old man, he considered he was young.", "", "He had a very striking face, and silvery locks like a seer,", "And in the hearts of the Scottish people he was loved most dear;", "And many a heart will mourn for him, but all in vain,", "Because he never can return to them again.", "", "He was a very kind-hearted man, and in no way vain,", "And I'm afraid we ne'er shall look upon his like again;", "And to hear him tell Scotch stories, the time did quickly pass,", "And for singing Scotch songs few could him surpass.", "", "But I hope e is in heaven, singing with saints above,", "Around God's throne, where all is peace and love;", "There, where God's children daily doth meet", "To sing praises to God, enchanting and sweet.", "", "He had visited almost every part of Europe in his time,", "And, like Lord Byron, he loved the Grecian clime;", "Nor did he neglect his own dear country,", "And few men knew it more thoroughly than he.", "", "On foot he tramped o'er most of bonnie Scotland,", "And in his seventies he climbed the highest hills most grand.", "Few men in his day could be compared to him,", "Because he wasn't hard on fallen creatures when they did sin.", "", "Oh, dearly beloved Professor Blackie, I must conclude my muse,", "And to write in praise of thee my pen does not refuse;", "Because you were a very Christian man, be it told,", "Worthy of a monument, and your name written thereon in letters of gold." ], "linecount": "40" }, { "title": "A Summary History of Lord Clive", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "About a hundred and fifty years ago,", "History relates it happened so,", "A big ship sailed from the shores of Britain", "Bound for India across the raging main.", "", "And many of the passengers did cry and moan", "As they took the last look of their old home,", "Which they were fast leaving far behind,", "And which some of them would long bear in mind.", "", "Among the passengers was a youth about seventeen years old,", "Who had been a wild boy at home and very bold,", "And by his conduct had filled his parent's hearts with woe,", "Because to school he often refused to go.", "", "And now that he was going so far away from home,", "The thought thereof made him sigh and groan,", "For he felt very sad and dejected were his looks,", "And he often wished he had spent more time at his books.", "", "And when he arrived in India he searched for work there,", "And got to be a clerk in a merchant's office, but for it he didn't care;", "The only pleasure he found was in reading books,", "And while doing so, sad and forlorn were his looks.", "", "One day while feeling unhappy he fired a pistol at his own head,", "Expecting that he would kill himself dead;", "But the pistol wouldn't go off although he tried every plan,", "And he felt sorry, and resolved to become a better man.", "", "So Clive left his desk and became a soldier brave,", "And soon rose to be a captain and manfully did behave;", "For he beat the French in every battle,", "After all their foolish talk and prattle.", "", "Then he thought he would take a voyage home to his friends,", "And for his bad behaviour towards them he would make some amends;", "For he hadn't seen them for many years,", "And when he thought of them he shed briny tears.", "", "And when he arrived in London", "The people after him in crowds did run;", "And they flocked to see him every minute,", "Because they thought him the most famous man in it.", "", "And all the greatest people in the land", "Were proud to shake him by the hand;", "And they gave him a beautiful sword because he had fought so well", "And of his bravery the people to each other did tell.", "", "And when his own friends saw him they to him ran,", "And they hardly knew him, he looked so noble a man;", "And his parents felt o'erjoyed when they saw him home again,", "And when he left his parents again for India it caused them great pain.", "", "But it was a good thing Clive returned to India again,", "Because a wicked prince in his territory wouldn't allow the british to remain,", "And he resolved to drive them off his land,", "And marched upon them boldly with thousands of his band.", "", "But the bad prince trembled when he heard that Clice had come,", "Because the British at the charge of the bayonet made his army run;", "And the bad prince was killed by one of his own band,", "And the British fortunately got all his land.", "", "And nearly all India now belongs to this country,", "Which has been captured by land and by sea,", "By some of the greatest men that ever did live,", "But the greatest of them all was Robert Clive." ], "linecount": "56" }, { "title": "The Death of Fred Marsden, the American Playwright", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "A pathetic tragedy I will relate,", "Concerning poor Fred. Marsden's fate,", "Who suffocated himself by the fumes of gas,", "On the 18th of May, and in the year of 1888, alas!", "", "Fred. Marsden was a playwright, the theatrical world knows,", "And was highly esteemed by the people, and had very few foes;", "And in New York, in his bedroom, he took his life away,", "And was found by his servant William in his bedroom where he lay.", "", "The manner in which he took his life : first he locked the door,", "Then closed down the window, and a sheet to shreds he tore", "And then stopped the keyholes and chinks through which air might come,", "Then turned on the single gas-burner, and soon the deed was done.", "", "About seven o'clock in the evening he bade his wife good-night,", "And she left him, smoking, in his room, thinking all was right,", "But when morning came his daughter said she smelled gas,", "Then William, his servant, called loudly on him, but no answer, alas!", "", "Then suspicion flashed across William's brain, and he broke open the door,", "Then soon the family were in a state of uproar,", "For the room was full of gas, and Mr Marsden quite dead,", "And a more kind-hearted father never ate of the world's bread.", "", "And by his kindness he spoiled his only child,", "His pretty daughter Blanche, which made him wild;", "For some time he thought her an angel, she was so very civil,", "But she dishonoured herself, and proved herself a devil.", "", "Her father idolised her, and on her spared no expense,", "And the kind-hearted father gave her too much indulgence,", "Because evening parties and receptions were got up for her sake,", "Besides, he bought her a steam yacht to sail on Schroon Lake.", "", "His means he lavished upon his home and his wife,", "And he loved his wife and daughter as dear as his life;", "But Miss Blanche turned to folly, and wrecked their home through strife,", "And through Miss Marsden's folly her father took his life.", "", "She wanted to ride, and her father bought her a horse,", "And by giving her such indulgences, in morals she grew worse;", "And by her immoral actions she broke her father's heart;", "And, in my opinion, she has acted a very ungrateful part.", "", "At last she fled from her father's house, which made him mourn,", "Then the crazy father went after her and begged her to return,", "But she tore her father's beard, and about the face beat him,", "Then fled to her companions in evil, and thought it no sin.", "", "Then her father sent her one hundred dollars, and found her again,", "And he requested her to come home, but it was all in vain;", "For his cruel daughter swore at him without any dread,", "And, alas! next morning, he was found dead in his bed.", "", "And soon theatrical circles were shocked to learn,", "Of the sudden death of genial Fred Marsden,", "Whose house had been famous for its hospitality,", "To artists, litterateurs, and critics of high and low degree.", "", "And now dear Mrs Marsden is left alone to mourn", "The loss of her loving husband, whom to her will ne'er return;", "But I hope God will be kind to her in her bereavement,", "And open her daughter's eyes, and make her repent", "", "For being the cause of her father's death, the generous Fred,", "Who oft poor artists and mendicants has fed;", "But, alas! his bounties they will never receive more,", "Therefore poor artists and mendicants will his loss deplore.", "", "Therefore, all ye kind parents of high and low degree,", "I pray ye all, be advised by me,", "And never pamper your children in any way,", "Nor idolise them, for they are apt to go astray,", "", "And treat ye, like pretty Blanche Marsden,", "Who by her folly has been the death of one of the finest men;", "So all kind parents, be warned by me,", "And remember always this sad Tragedy!" ], "linecount": "64" }, { "title": "The City of Perth", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful Ancient City of Perth,", "One of the fairest on the earth,", "With your stately mansions and scenery most fine,", "Which seems very beautiful in the summer time;", "And the beautiful silvery Tay,", "Rolling smoothly on its way,", "And glittering like silver in the sunshine -", "And the Railway Bridge across it is really sublime.", "The scenery is very beautiful when in full bloom,", "It far excels the river Doon -", "For the North Inch and South Inch is most beautiful to behold,", "Where the buttercups do shine in the sunshine like gold.", "", "And there's the Palace of Scone, most beautiful to be seen,", "Near by the river Tay and the North Inch so green,", "Whereon is erected the statue of Prince Albert, late husband of the Queen,", "And also the statue of Sir Walter Scott is moat beautiful to be seen,", "Erected on the South Inch, which would please the Queen,", "And recall to her memory his novels she has read -", "And came her to feel a pang for him that is dead.", "", "Beautiful City of Perth, along the river Tay,", "I must conclude ms lay,", "And to write in praise of thee my heart does not gainsay,", "To tell the world fearlessly, without the least dismay -", "With your stately mansions and the beautiful river Tay,", "You're one of the fairest Cities of the present day." ], "linecount": "25" }, { "title": "The Demon Drink", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Oh, thou demon Drink, thou fell destroyer;", "Thou curse of society, and its greatest annoyer.", "What hast thou done to society, let me think?", "I answer thou hast caused the most of ills, thou demon Drink.", "", "Thou causeth the mother to neglect her child,", "Also the father to act as he were wild,", "So that he neglects his loving wife and family dear,", "By spending his earnings foolishly on whisky, rum and beer.", "", "And after spending his earnings foolishly he beats his wife-", "The man that promised to protect her during life-", "And so the man would if there was no drink in society,", "For seldom a man beats his wife in a state of sobriety.", "", "And if he does, perhaps he finds his wife fou',", "Then that causes, no doubt, a great hullaballo;", "When he finds his wife drunk he begins to frown,", "And in a fury of passion he knocks her down.", "", "And in that knock down she fractures her head,", "And perhaps the poor wife she is killed dead,", "Whereas, if there was no strong drink to be got,", "To be killed wouldn't have been the poor wife's lot.", "", "Then the unfortunate husband is arrested and cast into jail,", "And sadly his fate he does bewail;", "And he curses the hour that ever was born,", "And paces his cell up and down very forlorn.", "", "And when the day of his trial draws near,", "No doubt for the murdering of his wife he drops a tear,", "And he exclaims, \"Oh, thou demon Drink, through thee I must die,\"", "And on the scaffold he warns the people from drink to fly,", "", "Because whenever a father or a mother takes to drink,", "Step by step on in crime they do sink,", "Until their children loses all affection for them,", "And in justice we cannot their children condemn.", "", "The man that gets drunk is little else than a fool,", "And is in the habit, no doubt, of advocating for Home Rule;", "But the best Home Rule for him, as far as I can understand,", "Is the abolition of strong drink from the land.", "", "And the men that get drunk in general wants Home Rule;", "But such men, I rather think, should keep their heads cool,", "And try and learn more sense, I most earnestlty do pray,", "And help to get strong drink abolished without delay.", "", "If drink was abolished how many peaceful homes would there be,", "Just, for instance in the beautiful town of Dundee;", "then this world would be heaven, whereas it's a hell,", "An the people would have more peace in it to dwell", "", "Alas! strong drink makes men and women fanatics,", "And helps to fill our prisons and lunatics;", "And if there was no strong drink such cases wouldn't be,", "Which would be a very glad sight for all christians to see.", "", "O admit, a man may be a very good man,", "But in my opinion he cannot be a true Christian", "As long as he partakes of strong drink,", "The more that he may differently think.", "", "But no matter what he thinks, I say nay,", "For by taking it he helps to lead his brither astray,", "Whereas, if he didn't drink, he would help to reform society,", "And we would soon do away with all inebriety.", "", "Then, for the sake of society and the Church of God,", "Let each one try to abolish it at home and abroad;", "Then poverty and crime would decrease and be at a stand,", "And Christ's Kingdom would soon be established throughout the land.", "", "Therefore, brothers and sisters, pause and think,", "And try to abolish the foul fiend, Drink.", "Let such doctrine be taught in church and school,", "That the abolition of strong drink is the only Home Rule." ], "linecount": "64" }, { "title": "Lines in Praise of the Lyric Club Banquet", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Which was Held in the Queens Hotel, Perth, on the Evening of 5th September 1894", "", "", "'Twas in the year of 1894, and on the 5th of September,", "Which for a long time I will remember,", "And the gentlemen I entertained in the city of Perth,", "Which is one of the grandest cities upon the earth.", "", "At the Banquet there were gentlemen of high degree,", "And the viands they partook of filled their hearts with glee;", "There was Beef, Fish, and Potatoes galore,", "And we all ate until we could eat no more", "", "The gentlemen present were very kind to me,", "And the entertainment I gave them filled their hearts with glee;", "Especially the Recital I gave them from \"Macbeth\",", "They were so much fascinated they almost lost their breath.", "", "The audience were orderly and all went well,", "As cheerily and as smoothly as a marriage bell.", "Mr James Speedie was the chairman, and behaved right manfully,", "And sang a beautiful song, which filled our hearts with glee.", "", "But when I sang my \"Rattling Boy from Dublin Town\",", "The audience were like to pull the house down", "With the hearty applause they showered upon me,", "Because I sang the song so merrily.", "", "But, in conclusion, I must honestly say", "I haven't been so well treated for manv a day;", "Because I got a Splendid Bed in the Queen's Hotel,", "And the breakfast I got there I liked right well.", "", "The treatment I received there would please the Queen,", "Because the cooking is most excellent and the beds are clean;", "And, in conclusion, I return my thanks to one and all,", "Especially the members of the Lyric Club, big and small,", "Also the landlord of the Queen's Hotel, yours truly,", "McGonagall." ], "linecount": "31" }, { "title": "The Clepington Catastrophe", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "'Twas on a Monday morning, and in the year of 1884,", "That a fire broke out in Bailie Bradford's store,", "Which contained bales of jute and large quantities of waste,", "Which the brave firemen ran to extinguish in great haste.", "", "They left their wives that morning without any dread,", "Never thinking, at the burning pile, they would be killed dead", "By the falling of the rickety and insecure walls;", "When I think of it, kind Christians, my heart it appals!", "", "Because it has caused widows and their families to shed briny tears,", "For there hasn't been such a destructive fire for many years;", "Whereby four brave firemen have perished in the fire,", "And for better fathers or husbands no family could desire.", "", "'Twas about five o'clock in the morning the fire did break out,", "While one of the workmen was inspecting the premises round about--", "Luckily before any one had begun their work for the day--", "So he instantly gave the alarm without delay.", "", "At that time only a few persons were gathered on the spot,", "But in a few minutes some hundreds were got,", "Who came flying in all directions, and in great dismay;", "So they help'd to put out the fire without delay.", "", "But the spreading flames, within the second flats, soon began to appear,", "Which filled the spectators' hearts with sympathy and fear,", "Lest any one should lose their life in the merciless fire,", "When they saw it bursting out and ascending higher and higher.", "", "Captain Ramsay, of the Dundee Fire Brigade, was the first to arrive,", "And under his directions the men seemed all alive,", "For they did their work heroically, with all their might and main,", "In the midst of blinding smoke and the burning flame.", "", "As soon as the catastrophe came to be known,", "The words, Fire! Fire! from every mouth were blown;", "And a cry of despair rang out on the morning air,", "When they saw the burning pile with its red fiery glare.", "", "While a dense cloud of smoke seemed to darken the sky,", "And the red glaring flame ascended up on high,", "Which made the scene appear weird-like around;", "While from the spectators was heard a murmuring sound.", "", "But the brave firemen did their duty manfully to the last,", "And plied the water on the burning pile, copiously and fast;", "But in a moment, without warning, the front wall gave way,", "Which filled the people's hearts with horror and dismay:", "", "Because four brave firemen were killed instantaneously on the spot,", "Which by the spectators will never be forgot;", "While the Fire Fiend laughingly did hiss and roar,", "As he viewed their mangled bodies. with the debris covered o'er.", "", "But in the midst of dust and fire they did their duty well,", "Aye! in the midst of a shower of bricks falling on them pell-mell,", "Until they were compelled to let the water-hose go;", "While the blood from their bruised heads and arms did flow.", "", "But brave James Fyffe held on to the hose until the last,", "And when found in the debris, the people stood aghast.", "When they saw him lying dead, with the hose in his hand,", "Their tears for him they couldn't check nor yet command.", "", "Oh, heaven! I must confess it was no joke", "To see them struggling in the midst of suffocating smoke,", "Each man struggling hard, no doubt, to save his life,", "When he thought of his dear children and his wife.", "", "But still the merciless flame shot up higher and higher;", "Oh, God! it is terrible and cruel to perish by fire;", "Alas! it was saddening and fearful to behold,", "When I think of it, kind Christians, it makes my blood run cold.", "", "What makes the death of Fyffe the more distressing,", "He was going to be the groomsman at his sister's bridal dressing,", "Who was going to be married the next day;", "But, alas! the brave hero's life was taken away.", "", "But accidents will happen by land and by sea,", "Therefore, to save ourselves from accidents, we needn't try to flee,", "For whatsoever God has ordained will come to pass;", "For instance, ye may be killed by a stone or a piece of glass.", "", "I hope the Lord will provide for the widows in their distress,", "For they are to be pitied, I really must confess;", "And I hope the public of Dundee will lend them a helping hand;", "To help the widows and the fatherless is God's command." ], "linecount": "72" }, { "title": "The Execution of James Graham, Marquis of Montrose", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "'Twas in the year of 1650, and on the twenty-first of May,", "The city of Edinburgh was put into a state of dismay", "By the noise of drums and trumpets, which on the air arose,", "That the great sound attracted the notice of Montrose.", "", "Who enquired at the Captain of the guard the cause of it,", "Then the officer told him, as he thought most fit,", "That the Parliament dreading an attempt might be made to rescue him,", "The soldiers were called out to arms, and that had made the din.", "", "Do I, said Montrose, continue such a terror still?", "Now when these good men are about my blood to spill,", "But let them look to themselves, for after I am dead,", "Their wicked consciences will be in continual dread.", "", "After partaking of a hearty breakfast, he commenced his toilet,", "Which, in his greatest trouble, he seldom did forget.", "And while in the act of combing his hair,", "He was visited by the Clerk Register, who made him stare,", "", "When he told him he shouldn't be so particular with his head,", "For in a few hours he would be dead;", "But Montrose replied, While my head is my own I'll dress it at my ease,", "And to-morrow, when it becomes yours, treat it as you please.", "", "He was waited upon by the Magistrates of the city,", "But, alas! for him they had no pity.", "He was habited in a superb cloak, ornamented with gold and silver lace;", "And before the hour of execution an immense assemblage of people were round the place.", "", "From the prison, bareheaded, in a cart, they conveyed him along the Watergate", "To the place of execution on the High Street, where about thirty thousand people did wait,", "Some crying and sighing, a most pitiful sight to see,", "All waiting patiently to see the executioner hang Montrose, a man of high degree.", "", "Around the place of execution, all of them were deeply affected,", "But Montrose, the noble hero, seemed not the least dejected;", "And when on the scaffold he had, says his biographer Wishart,", "Such a grand air and majesty, which made the people start.", "", "As the fatal hour was approaching when he had to bid the world adieu,", "He told the executioner to make haste and get quickly through,", "But the executioner smiled grimly, but spoke not a word,", "Then he tied the Book of Montrose's Wars round his neck with a cord.", "", "Then he told the executioner his foes would remember him hereafter,", "And he was as well pleased as if his Majesty had made him Knight of the Garter;", "Then he asked to be allowed to cover his head,", "But he was denied permission, yet he felt no dread.", "", "He then asked leave to keep on his cloak,", "But was also denied, which was a most grievous stroke;", "Then he told the Magistrates, if they could invent any more tortures for him,", "He would endure them all for the cause he suffered, and think it no sin.", "", "On arriving at the top of the ladder with great firmness,", "His heroic appearance greatly did the bystanders impress,", "Then Montrose asked the executioner how long his body would be suspended,", "Three hours was the answer, but Montrose was not the least offended.", "", "Then he presented the executioner with three or four pieces of gold,", "Whom he freely forgave, to his honour be it told,", "And told him to throw him off as soon as he uplifted his hands,", "While the executioner watched the fatal signal, and in amazement stands.", "", "And on the noble patriot raising his hands, the executioner began to cry,", "Then quickly he pulled the rope down from the gibbet on high,", "And around Montrose's neck he fixed the rope very gently,", "And in an instant the great Montrose was launched into eternity.", "", "Then the spectators expressed their disapprobation by general groan,", "And they all dispersed quietly, and wended their way home", "And his bitterest enemies that saw his death that day,", "Their hearts were filled with sorrow and dismay.", "", "Thus died, at the age of thirty-eight, James Graham, Marquis of Montrose,", "Who was brought to a premature grave by his bitter foes;", "A commander who had acquired great military glory", "In a short space of time, which cannot be equalled in story." ], "linecount": "64" }, { "title": "The Battle of the Nile", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "'Twas on the 18th of August in the year of 1798,", "That Nelson saw with inexpressible delight", "The City of Alexandria crowded with the ships of France,", "So he ordered all sail to be set, and immediately advance.", "", "And upon the deck, in deep anxiety he stood,", "And from anxiety of mind he took but little food;", "But now he ordered dinner and prepared without delay,", "Saying, I shall gain a peerage to-morrow, or Westminster Abbey.", "", "The French had found it impossible to enter the port of Alexandria,", "Therefore they were compelled to withdraw;", "Yet their hearts were burning with anxiety the war to begin,", "But they couldn't find a pilot who would convey them safely in.", "", "Therefore Admiral Brueyes was forced to anchor in Aboukir Bay,", "And in a compact line of battle, the leading vessel lay", "Close to a shoal, along a line of very deep water,", "There they lay, all eager to begin the murderous slaughter.", "", "The French force consisted of thirteen ships of the line,", "As fine as ever sailed on the salt sea brine;", "Besides four Frigates carrying 1,196 guns in all,", "Also 11,230 men as good as ever fired a cannon ball.", "", "The number of the English ships were thirteen in all,", "And carrying 1012 guns, including great and small;", "And the number of men were 8,068,", "All jolly British tars and eager for to fight.", "", "As soon as Nelson perceived the position of the enemy,", "His active mind soon formed a plan immediately;", "As the plan he thought best, as far as he could see,", "Was to anchor his ships on the quarter of each of the enemy.", "", "And when he had explained hid mode of attack to his officers and men,", "He said, form as convenient, and anchor at the stern;", "The first gain the victory, and make the best use of it you can,", "Therefore I hope every one here to-day, will do their duty to a man.", "", "When Captain Berry perceived the boldness of the plan,", "He said, my Lord, I'm sure the men will do their duty to a man;", "And, my Lord, what will the world say, if we gain the victory?", "Then Nelson replied, there's no if in the case, and that you'll see.", "", "Then the British tars went to work without delay,", "All hurrying to and fro, making ready for the fray;", "And there wasn't a man among them, but was confident that day,", "That they would make the French to fly from Aboukir Bay.", "", "Nelson's fleet did not enter Aboukir Bay at once,", "And by adopting that plan, that was his only chance;", "But one after another, they bore down on the enemy;", "Then Nelson cried, now open fire my heroes, immediately!", "", "Then the shores of Egypt trembled with the din of the war,", "While sheets of flame rent the thick clouds afar;", "And the contending fleets hung incumbent o'er the bay,", "Whilst our British tars stuck to their guns without the least dismay.", "", "And loudly roared the earthly thunder along thr river Nile,", "And the British ship Orion went into action in splendid style;", "Also Nelson's Ship Vanguard bore down on the foe,", "With six flags flying from her rigging high and low.", "", "Then she opened a tremendous fire on the Spartiate,", "And Nelson cried, fear not my lads we'll soon make them retreat!", "But so terrific was the fire of the enemy on them,", "That six of the Vanguards guns were cleared of men.", "", "Yet there stood Nelson, the noble Hero of the Nile,", "In the midst of death and destruction on deck all the while;", "And around him on every side, the cannon balls did rattle,", "But right well the noble hero knew the issue of the battle.", "", "But suddenly he received a wound on the head,", "And fell into the arms of Captain Berry, but fortunately not dead;", "And the flow of blood from his head was very great,", "But still the hero of the Nile was resigned to his fate.", "", "Then to the Cockpit the great Admiral was carried down,", "And in the midst of the dying, he never once did frown;", "Nor he didn't shake with fear, nor yet did he mourne,", "But patiently sat down to wait his own turn.", "", "And when the Surgeon saw him, he instantly ran,", "But Nelson said, Surgeon, attend to that man;", "Attend to the sailor you were at, for he requires your aid,", "Then I will take my turn, don't be the least afraid.", "", "And when his turn came, it was found that his wound was but slight,", "And when known, it filled the sailors hearts with delight;", "And they all hoped he would soon be able to command in the fight,", "When suddenly a cry arose of fire! Which startled Nelson with affright.", "", "And unassisted he rushed upon the deck, and to his amaze,", "He discovered that the Orient was all in a blaze;", "Then he ordered the men to lower the boats, and relieve the enemy,", "Saying, now men, see and obey my orders immediately.", "", "Then the noble tars manned their boats, and steered to the Orient,", "While the poor creatures thanked God for the succour He had sent;", "And the burning fragments fell around them like rain,", "Still our British tars rescued about seventy of them from the burning flame,", "", "And of the thirteen sail of the French the British captured nine,", "Besides four of their ships were burnt, which made the scene sublime,", "Which made the hero of the Nile cry out thank God we've won the day,", "And defeated the French most manfully in Aboukir Bay.", "", "Then the victory was complete and the French Fleet annihilated,", "And when the news arrived in England the peoples' hearts felt elated,", "Then Nelson sent orders immediately through the fleet,", "That thanksgiving should be returned to God for the victory complete." ], "linecount": "92" }, { "title": "The Rebel Surprise Near Tamai", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "'Twas on the 22nd of March, in the year 1885,", "That the Arabs rushed like a mountain torrent in full drive,", "And quickly attacked General M'Neill's transport-zereba,", "But in a short time they were forced to withdraw.", "", "And in the suddenness of surprise the men were carried away,", "Also camels, mules, and horses were thrown into wild disarray,", "By thousands of the Arabs that in ambush lay,", "But our brave British heroes held the enemy at bay.", "", "There was a multitude of camels heaped upon one another,", "Kicking and screaming, while many of them did smother,", "Owing to the heavy pressure of the entangled mass,", "That were tramping o'er one another as they lay on the grass.", "", "The scene was indescribable, and sickening to behold,", "To see the mass of innocent brutes lying stiff and cold,", "And the moaning cries of them were pitiful to hear,", "Likewise the cries of the dying men that lay wounded in the rear.", "", "Then General McNeill ordered his men to form in solid square,", "Whilst deafening shouts and shrieks of animals did tend the air,", "And the rush of stampeded camels made a fearful din,", "While the Arabs they did yell, and fiendishly did grin.", "", "Then the gallant Marines formed the east side of the square,", "While clouds of dust and smoke did darken the air,", "And on the west side the Berkshire were engaged in the fight,", "Firing steadily and cooly with all their might.", "", "Still camp followers were carried along by the huge animal mass,", "And along the face of the zereba 'twas difficult to pass,", "Because the mass of brutes swept on in wild dismay,", "Which caused the troops to be thrown into disorderly array.", "", "Then Indians and Bluejackets were all mixed together back to back,", "And for half-an-hour the fire and din didn't slack;", "And none but steady troops could have stood that fearful shock,", "Because against overwhelming numbers they stood as firm as a rock.", "", "The Arabs crept among the legs of the animals without any dread,", "But by the British bullets many were killed dead,", "And left dead on the field and weltering in their gore,", "Whilst the dying moans of the camels made a hideous roar.", "", "Then General McNeill to his men did say,", "Forward! my lads, and keep them at bay!", "Come, make ready, my men, and stand to your arms,", "And don't be afraid of war's alarms", "", "So forward! and charge them in front and rear,", "And remember you are fighting for your Queen and country dear,", "Therefore, charge them with your bayonets, left and right,", "And we'll soon put this rebel horde to flight.", "", "Then forward at the bayonet-charge they did rush,", "And the rebel horde they soon did crush;", "And by the charge of the bayonet they kept them at bay,", "And in confusion and terror they all fled away.", "", "The Marines held their own while engaged hand-to-hand,", "And the courage they displayed was really very grand;", "But it would be unfair to praise one corps more than another,", "Because each man fought as if he'd been avenging the death of a brother.", "", "The Berkshire men and the Naval Brigade fought with might and main,", "And, thank God! the British have defeated the Arabs again,", "And have added fresh laurels to their name,", "Which will be enrolled in the book of fame.", "'Tis lamentable to think of the horrors of war,", "That men must leave their homes and go abroad afar,", "To fight for their Queen and country in a foreign land,", "Beneath the whirlwind's drifting scorching sand.", "", "But whatsoever God wills must come to pass,", "The fall of a sparrow, or a tiny blade of grass;", "Also, man must fall at home by His command,", "Just equally the same as in a foreign land." ], "linecount": "64" }, { "title": "The Battle of Waterloo", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "'Twas in the year 1815, and on the 18th day of June,", "That British cannon, against the French army, loudly did boom,", "Upon the ever memorable bloody field of Waterloo;", "Which Napoleon remembered while in St. Helena, and bitterly did rue.", "The morning of the 18th was gloomy and cheerless to behold,", "But the British soon recovered from the severe cold", "That they had endured the previous rainy night;", "And each man prepared to burnish his arms for the coming fight.", "", "Then the morning passed in mutual arrangements for battle,", "And the French guns, at half-past eleven, loudly did rattle;", "And immediately the order for attack was given,", "Then the bullets flew like lightning till the Heaven's seemed riven.", "", "The place from which Bonaparte viewed the bloody field", "Was the farmhouse of La Belle Alliance, which some protection did yield;", "And there he remained for the most part of the day,", "Pacing to and fro with his hands behind him in doubtful dismay.", "", "The Duke of Wellington stood upon a bridge behind La Haye,", "And viewed the British army in all their grand array,", "And where danger threatened most the noble Duke was found", "In the midst of shot and shell on every side around.", "", "Hougemont was the key of the Duke of Wellington's position,", "A spot that was naturally very strong, and a great acqusition", "To the Duke and his staff during the day,", "Which the Coldstream Guards held to the last, without dismay.", "", "The French 2nd Corps were principally directed during the day", "To carry Hougemont farmhouse without delay;", "So the farmhouse in quick succession they did attack,", "But the British guns on the heights above soon drove them back.", "", "But still the heavy shot and shells ploughed through the walls;", "Yet the brave Guards resolved to hold the place no matter what befalls;", "And they fought manfully to the last, with courage unshaken,", "Until the tower of Hougemont was in a blaze but still it remained untaken.", "", "By these desperate attacks Napoleon lost ten thousand men,", "And left them weltering in their gore like sheep in a pen;", "And the British lost one thousand men-- which wasn't very great,", "Because the great Napoleon met with a crushing defeat.", "", "The advance of Napoleon on the right was really very fine,", "Which was followed by a general onset upon the British line,", "In which three hundred pieces of artillery opened their cannonade;", "But the British artillery played upon them, and great courage displayed.", "", "For ten long hours it was a continued succession of attacks;", "Whilst the British cavalry charged them in all their drawbacks;", "And the courage of the British Army was great in square at Waterloo,", "Because hour after hour they were mowed down in numbers not a few.", "", "At times the temper of the troops had very nearly failed,", "Especially amongst the Irish regiments who angry railed;", "And they cried: \" When will we get at them? Show us the way", "That we may avenge the death of our comrades without delay\"", "", "\"But be steady and cool, my brave lads,\" was their officers' command,", "While each man was ready to charge with gun in hand;", "Oh, Heaven! if was pitiful to see their comrades lying around,", "Dead and weltering in their gore, and cumbering the ground.", "", "It was a most dreadful sight to behold,", "Heaps upon heaps of dead men lying stiff and cold;", "While the cries of the dying was lamentable to hear;", "And for the loss Of their comrades many a soldier shed a tear.", "", "Men and horses fell on every aide around,", "Whilst heavy cannon shot tore up the ground;", "And musket balls in thousands flew,", "And innocent blood bedewed the field of Waterloo.", "", "Methinks I see the solid British square,", "Whilst the shout of the French did rend the air,", "As they rush against the square of steel.", "Which forced them back and made them reel.", "", "And when a gap was made in that square,", "The cry of \"Close up! Close up!\" did rend the air,", "\"And charge them with your bayonets, and make them fly!", "And Scotland for ever! be the cry.\"", "", "The French and British closed in solid square,", "While the smoke of the heavy cannonade darkened the air;", "Then the noble Picton deployed his division into line,", "And drove back the enemy in a very short time.", "", "Then Lord Anglesey seized on the moment, and charging with the Greys,", "Whilst the Inniskillings burst through everything, which they did always;", "Then the French infantry fell in hundreds by the swords of the Dragoons;", "Whilst the thundering of the cannonade loudly booms.", "", "And the Eagles of the 45th and 105th were all captured that day,", "And upwards of 2000 prisoners, all in grand array;", "But, alas! at the head of his division, the noble Picton fell,", "While the Highlanders played a lament for him they loved so well.", "", "Then the French cavalry receded from the square they couldn't penetrate,", "Still Napoleon thought to weary the British into defeat;", "But when he saw his columns driven back in dismay,", "He cried, \"How beautifully these English fight, but they must give way.\"", "", "And well did British bravery deserve the proud encomium,", "Which their enduring courage drew from the brave Napoleon;", "And when the close column of infantry came on the British square,", "Then the British gave one loud cheer which did rend the air.", "", "Then the French army pressed forward at Napoleon's command,", "Determined, no doubt, to make a bold stand;", "Then Wellington cried, \" Up Guards and break their ranks through,", "And chase the French invaders from off the field of Waterloo!\"", "", "Then, in a moment, they were all on their feet,", "And they met the French, sword in hand, and made them retreat;", "Then Wellington in person directed the attack,", "And at every point and turning the French were beaten back.", "", "And the road was choked and encumbered with the dead;", "And, unable to stand the charge, the French instantly fled,", "And Napoleon's army of yesterday was now a total wreck,", "Which the British manfully for ten long hours held in check.", "", "Then, panic-struck, the French were forced to yield,", "And Napoleon turned his charger's head, and fled from the field,", "With his heart full of woe, no doubt", "Exclaiming, \"Oh, Heaven! my noble army has met with a total rout!\"" ], "linecount": "104" }, { "title": "Montrose", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "Beautiful town of Montrose, I will now commence my lay,", "And I will write in praise of thee without dismay,", "And in spite of all your foes,", "l will venture to call thee Bonnie Montrose.", "Your beautiful Chain Bridge is magnificent to be seen,", "Spanning the river Esk, a beautiful tidal stream,", "Which abounds with trout and salmon,", "Which can be had for the catching without any gammon.", "", "Then as for the Mid Links, it is most beautiful to be seen, And I'm sure is a very nice bowling green,", "Where young men can enjoy themselves and inhale the pure air,", "Emanating from the sea and the beautiful flowers there,", "And as for the High Street, it's most beautiful to see,", "There's no street can surpass it in the town of Dundee,", "Because it is so long and wide,", "That the people can pass on either side", "Without jostling one another or going to any bother.", "", "Beautiful town of Montrose, near by the seaside,", "With your fine shops and streets so wide,", "'Tis health for the people that in you reside,", "Because they do inhale the pure fragrant air,", "Emanating from the pure salt wave and shrubberies growing there;", "And the inhabitants of Montrose ought to feel gay,", "Because it is one of the bonniest towns in Scotland at the present day." ], "linecount": "23" }, { "title": "The Great Franchise Demonstration", "author": "William Topaz McGonagall", "lines": [ "'Twas in the year of 1884, and on Saturday the 20th of September,", "Which the inhabitants of Dundee will long remember", "The great Liberal Franchise Demonstration,", "Which filled their minds with admiration.", "", "Oh! it was a most magnificent display,", "To see about 20 or 30 thousand men all in grand array;", "And each man with a medal on his breast;", "And every man in the procession dressed in his best.", "", "The banners of the processionists were really grand to see-", "The like hasn't been seen for a long time in Dundee;", "While sweet music from the bands did rend the skies,", "And every processionist was resolved to vote for the Franchise.", "", "And as the procession passed along each street,", "The spectators did loudly the processionists greet;", "As they viewed their beautiful banners waving in the wind,", "They declared such a scene would be ever fresh in their mind.", "", "The mustering of the processionists was very grand,", "As along the Esplanade each man took his stand,", "And as soon as they were marshalled in grand array,", "To the Magdalen Green, in haste, they wended their way.", "", "And when they arrived on the Magdalen Green,", "I'm sure it was a very beautiful imposing scene-", "While the cheers of that vast multitude ascended to the skies,", "For the \"Grand Old Man,\" Gladstone, the Hero of the Franchise,", "", "Who has struggled very hard for the people's rights,", "Many long years, and many weary nights;", "And I think the \"Grand Old Man\" will gain the Franchise,", "And if he does, the people will laud him to the skies.", "", "And his name should be written in letters of gold :", "For he is a wise statesman- true and bold-", "Who has advocated the people's rights for many long years;", "And when he is dead they will thank him with their tears.", "", "For he is the man for the working man,", "And without fear of contradiction, deny it who can;", "Because he wishes the working man to have a good coat,", "And, both in town and country, to have power to vote.", "", "The reason why the Lords won't pass the Franchise Bill :", "They fear that it will do themselves some ill;", "That is the reason why they wish to throw it out,", "Yes, believe me, fellow citizens, that's the cause without doubt.", "", "The emblems and mottoes in the procession, were really grand,", "The like hasn't been seen in broad Scotland;", "Especially the picture of Gladstone- the nation's hope,", "Who is a much cleverer man than Sir John Cope.", "", "There were masons and ploughmen all in a row,", "Also tailors, tenters, and blacksmiths, which made a grand show;", "Likewise carters and bakers which was most beautiful to be seen,", "To see them marching from the Esplanade to the Magdalen Green.", "", "I'm sure it was a most beautiful sight to see,", "The like has never been seen before in Dundee;", "Such a body of men, and Gladstone at the helm,", "Such a sight, I'm sure, 'twould the Lords o'erwhelm.", "", "Oh! it was grand to see that vast crowd,", "And to hear the speeches, most eloquent and loud,", "That were made by the speakers, regarding the Franchise;", "While the spectators applauded them to the skies.", "", "And for the \"Grand Old Man\" they gave three cheers,", "Hoping he would live for many long years;", "And when the speeches were ended, the people's hearts were gay,", "And they all dispersed quietly to their homes without delay." ], "linecount": "60" } ]