Twas in the year 1877 and in Dundee's holiday week
When a weaver named McGonagall began his fortune for to seek
He took his pen and wrote a verse about Gilfillan of Dundee
And thus began a career of great notoriety For William's muse drew him to write on subjects grave and sad
And the fruits of his labours were so uniformly bad
That many men of learning are often heard to say
That McGonagall is quite the worst poet of his own or any other day If you read his dreadful verse, you'll find after a while
That upon your lips you'll scarce be able to suppress a smile
So three cheers for McGonagall, Poet and Tragedian
Bonny Dundee's favourite son, and finest of comedians. -- Chris Hunt, category editor
(after William McGonagall)
When a weaver named McGonagall began his fortune for to seek
He took his pen and wrote a verse about Gilfillan of Dundee
And thus began a career of great notoriety For William's muse drew him to write on subjects grave and sad
And the fruits of his labours were so uniformly bad
That many men of learning are often heard to say
That McGonagall is quite the worst poet of his own or any other day If you read his dreadful verse, you'll find after a while
That upon your lips you'll scarce be able to suppress a smile
So three cheers for McGonagall, Poet and Tragedian
Bonny Dundee's favourite son, and finest of comedians. -- Chris Hunt, category editor
(after William McGonagall)
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- Scottish Writers on the Internet: William McGonagall Concise biography and list of published works.
- Scottish Writers: William McGonagall A photograph of the poet, striking a dramatic pose with his hat and walking stick.
- McGonagall Online A tribute to the poet and tragedian which includes his autobiography, all his published poems, contemporary press reports and a host of assorted McGonagallia.
- The Worst Poem of All Time: William Topaz McGonagall's The Tay Bridge Disaster Text and criticism of the work.
- McGonagall: Gone but Unforgettable A plaque is unveiled at McGonagall's burial site. Report and profile from BBC News.
- Tribute to the Best Bad Bard The city of Dundee plans a unique riverside tribute, report from BBC News.
- William McGonagall, a Terrible Poet Lengthy essay about the poet, his life and his writings.
- William McGonagall: Scotland's Other National Bard Biographical article from the BBC's local history pages.
- All hail McGonagall, in verse there were few worse Biographical article and quotes, from Australian newspaper The Age.
- Grossly Maligned and Misunderstood "William McGonagall is one of the 19th century's true life tragic romantic heroes - especially so because he was blissfully unaware of the fact!". Review from ciao.co.uk
- Great Scot Review of McGonagall's life, poetic style and works marred by some minor factual errors.
- John Laurie as The Great McGonagall Review of an LP on which Scots actor John Laurie impersonates McGonagall and reads from his poetry. Laurie was partly responsible for bringing McGonagall to a wider audience in the 1960's
- Inadvertent Doggerel "A celebration of a particular feature of Victorian literature — accidental trash poetry". An article discussing McGonagall, alongside other poets.
- William McGonagall: White Elephant Lengthy article about the man from Scotland Magazine.
- William McGonagall - Poet Concise article describing McGonagall's life and work from the h2g2 site.