William McGonagall - Information, Featured Articles

William McGonagall

William McGonagall (1825-1902) was a prolific Scottish poet, famous for his bad verse. Indeed many believed him to be the world's worst poet. Strangely in his lifetime he was not always appreciated. To earn a living he would often have to travel from pub to pub to recite his verses and then pass a hat around.

His poems chronicle his unique view of Victorian life. A staunch supporter of Queen Victoria, he wrote Ode to the Queen. When she died in 1901 he followed it with 'Death of the Queen'. McGonagall died just 1 year later. During one of his visits to London he wrote the memorable poem 'Jottings of London'.

Jottings of London.

As I stood upon London Bridge and viewed the mighty throng
Of thousands of people in cabs and buses rapidly whirling along.
All furiously driving to and fro,
Up one street and down another as quick as they could go:

Then I was struck with the discordant sounds of human voices there,
Which seemed to me like wild geese cackling in the air:
And the river Thames is a most beautiful sight,
To see the streamers sailing upon it by day and by night.

And the Tower of London is most gloomy to behold,
And the crown of England lays there, begemmed with precious stones and gold;
King Henry the Sixth was murdered there by the Duke of Gloster,
And when he killed him with his sword he called him an impostor.

St Paul's Cathedral is the finest building that ever I did see,
There's no building can surpass it in the city of Dundee,
Because it's magnificent to behold,
With its beautiful dome and spire glittering like gold.

And as for Nelson's Monument that stands in Trafalgar Square,
It is a most stately monument I most solemnly declare,
And towering defiantly very high,
Which arrests strangers' attention while passing by.

Then there's two beautiful water-fountains spouting up very high,
Where the weary traveller can drink when he feels dry;
And at the front of the monument there's three bronze lions in grand array,
Enough to make the strangers heart throb with dismay.

Then there's Mr Spurgeon, a great preacher, which no one dare gainsay,
I went to hear him preach on the Sabbath-day,
And he made my heart feel light and gay,
When I heard him preach and pray.

And the Tabernacle was crowded from ceiling to floor,
And many were standing outside the door;
He is an eloquent preacher I honestly declare,
And I was struck with admiration as on him I did stare.

Then there's Petticoat Lane I venture to say,
It's a wonderful place on the Sabbath-day;
There wearing apparel can be bought to suit young or old,<