William Topaz McGonagall, of Dundee has been widely hailed as the writer of the worst poetry in the English language. This sonnet may challenge this claim!
| By the banks of the Silvery Tay We had such a wonderful day For North Berwick a first trip to Dundee Made welcome with coffee and tea Bacon rolls to sustain through the day By the banks of the silvery Tay The wind from the west Was not for the best But didn’t spoil the day As guests of our friends in Broughty By the banks of the silvery Tay The open men were first to row They struck the very first blow A narrow win over hosts Broughty Got North Berwick on our way By the banks of the silvery Tay Ladies were next in the boat Over 60s I heard someone quote Another good win for the NB As the wind blew out to the see By the banks of the silvery Tay The 45 plus men followed on Fuelled with rolls filled with Dundee bacon Rowed the fastest time of the day Was North Berwick running away? By the banks of the slivery Tay |
The mixed crew look a little pale As they finished second to a good crew from Crail The crafty coxing brought joy As they squeezed around the buoy By the banks of the silvery Tay Crail continued their winning form Pushing hard in the heart of the storm Another win from the Fifers In the class of 45 wifers By the banks of the silvery Tay Wormit were the next to have cheer And likely celebrated with beer A first win for the neighbouring crew And a second for Newburgh too By the banks of the silvery Tay The final race of the day A win for our hosts from Broughty NB ran them close around the bend Broughty finished strong in the end By the banks of the silvery Tay With many thanks to our hosts Broughty Ferry We returned home all feeling merry The weather could not thwart A great day of sport By the banks of the silvery Tay |
With apologies to W.T. McGonagall (Ed: But thanks to Steve Thomson)
