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exposure, hunger, and cold,
Which caused the spectators to shudder when them they did behold.…
    They were carried to a boarding-house without delay,
But those that were looking on were stricken with dismay,
When the remains of James and Angus M’Donald were found in the boat,
Likewise three pieces of flesh in a pool of blood afloat.
    Angus M’Donald’s right arm was missing from the elbow,
And the throat was cut in a sickening manner, which filled the villagers’ hearts with woe,
Especially when they say two pieces of flesh had been cut from each thigh,
’Twas then the kind-hearted villagers did murmur and sigh.
Here is McGonagall at his name-dropping best—careful to include
virtually every mourner and/or floral tribute.
from
The Death of Lord and Lady Dalhousie
    Alas! Lord and Lady Dalhousie are dead, and buried at last,
Which causes many people to feel a little downcast;
And both lie side by side in one grave,
But I hope God in His goodness their souls will save.
    ….
    ’Twas in the year of 1887, and on Thursday the 1st of December,
Which his relatives and friend will long remember
That were present at the funeral in Cockpen churchyard,
Because they had for the noble Lord a great regard.
    About eleven o’clock the remains reached Dalhousie,
And were met by a body of the tenantry;
They conveyed them inside the building, all seemingly woebegone,
And among those that sent wreaths was Lord Claude Hamilton.
    Those that sent wreaths were but very few,
But one in particular was the Duke of Bucceleuch
Besides Dr. Herbert Spencer, and Countess Rosebery, and Lady Bennett,
Which no doubt were sent by them with heartfelt regret.
    Besides those that sent wreaths in addition were the Earl and Countess of Aberdeen,
Especially the Prince of Wales’ was most lovely to be seen,
And the Earl of Dalkeith’s wreath was very pretty too,
With a mixture of green and white flowers, beautiful to view.
    Amongst those present at the interment were Mr. Marjoribanks, M.P.,
Also ex-Provost Ballingall from Bonnie Dundee;
Besides the Honourable W. G. Colville, representing the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh,
While in everyone’s face standing at the grave was depicted sorrow.
    Another of McGonagall’s pieces marking a historic event, “The Funeral of the German Emperor,” is also a wonderful example of the poet’s penchant for banal descriptions.
from
The Funeral of the German Emperor
    As the procession passes the palace the blinds are drawn completely,
And every house is half hidden with the sable drapery;
And along the line of march expansive arches were erected,
While the spectators standing by seemed very dejected.
    ….
The whole distance to the grave was covered over with laurel and bay,
So that the body should be borne along smoothly all the way;
And the thousands of banners in the processions were beautiful to view,
Because they were composed of cream-coloured silk and light blue.
    The poet here celebrates the harpooning of the Tay whale, which was then towed into port.
from
The Famous Tay Whale
    And my opinion is that God sent the whale in time of need,
No matter what other people may think or what is their creed;
I know fishermen in general are often very poor,
And God in his goodness sent it to drive poverty from their door.
    So Mr. John Wood has bought it for two hundred and twenty-six pound,
And has brought it to Dundee all safe and all sound;
Which measures 40 feet in length from the snout to the tail,
So I advise the people far and near to see it without fail.
    Then hurrah! for the mighty monster whale,
Which has got 17 feet 4 inches from tip to tip of a tail!
Which can be seen for a sixpence of a shilling,
That is to say, if the people are all willing.
The Late Sir John Ogilvy
    Alas! Sir John Ogilvy is dead, aged eighty-seven,
But I hope his soul is now in heaven;
For he was a generous-hearted gentleman I am sure,
And, in particular, very kind unto the poor.
    ….
    He was a public benefactor in many ways,
Especially in