An Address to the New Tay Bridge

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 they beautiful railway, And towering above the Silvery Tay, Spanning the beautiful river shore to shore Upwards of two miles and more, Which is most wonderful 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 & 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.

William McGonagall