First line "Christmas time while mirth abounded" features the usual motifs but emphasises that the disaster happened during the Christmas season.
CHRISTMAS Time while mirth abounded .
Thro' the country far and wide,
Happy homes are turned to sadness,
Dear friends in death lay side by side by side
Young and old upon the railway,
In that fatal train that day.
Little thought to death were going,
From this life they've passed away.
Refrain Tay Bridge gave way the train went hurling,
Down into the deadly deep,
Just a crash and all was over,
Many there in death now sleep.
Mothers with there little infants.
Fathers sons and sweethearts true
Laugh'd and jok'd so free together,
as along the rails they did pursue,
No thought of danger was among them.
Thinking of old Chistmas cheer,
All was merry and light-hearted,
Returning home they had no fear.
That Sabbath night while the storm was raging.
The Edinburgh train went on its way.
Watch'd by a few who felt the danger
Ason Tay Bridge she steamed away
Sparks of fire they saw ascending.
While down went crashing, bridge and train,
Into the river smash'd to pieces,
Buried in the watery main.
At the railway stations friends were waiting,,
For the arrival of the train,
but when the news to them was broken
It filled their hearts with grief and pain.
Mothers cried "Give me my children"
Fathers "shed a silent tear,
Brothers, sisters, friends & sweethearts
Wept for those they lov'd so dear.
Many now are sad and lonely,
Thinking of a poor dear friend,
Little orphans now are weeping,
For their parents fearful end,
None of us can tell the moment,
When from this earth we'll have to go,
Those poor souls little thought of dying ,
In that fatal train below.
Notes on the Songs and Its Historical Context:
The illustration printed at the top of the song sheet shows a locomotive of a design that considerably pre-dates the locomotive involved in the disaster.
For further discussion see Narrative Set NS008 ~ The Tay Bridge Disaster