Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BURNING OF THE PEOPLE'S VARIETY THEATRE, ABERDEEN, by WILLIAM MCGONAGALL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BURNING OF THE PEOPLE'S VARIETY THEATRE, ABERDEEN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Twas in the year of 1896, and on the 30th of september
Last Line: But I hope they are now in heaven, amongst the heavenly choir.
Subject(s): Death; Fire; Heroism; Survival; Tragedy; Dead, The; Heroes; Heroines


'Twas in the year of 1896, and on the 30th of September,
Which many people in Aberdeen will long remember;
The burning of the People's Variety Theatre, in Bridge Place,
Because the fire spread like lightning at a rapid pace.

The fire broke out on the stage, about eight o'clock,
Which gave to the audience a very fearful shock;
Then a stampede ensued, and a rush was made pell-mell,
And in the crush, trying to get out, many people fell.

The stage flies took fire owing to the gas
Not having room enough by them to pass;
And with his jacket Mr. Macaulay tried to put out the flame,
But oh! horrible to relate, it was all in vain.

Detective Innes, who was passing at the time of the fire,
Rendered help in every way the audience could desire,
By helping many of them for to get out,
Which was a heroic action, without any doubt.

Oh! it was a pitiful and fearful sight,
To see both old and young struggling with all their might,
For to escape from that merciless fire,
While it roared and mounted higher and higher.

Oh! it was horrible to hear the cries of that surging crowd,
Yelling and crying for "Help! help!" aloud;
While one old woman did fret and frown
Because her clothes were torn off when knocked down.

A lady and gentleman of the Music Hall company, Monti & Spry,
Managed to make their escape by climbing up very high,
To an advertisement board, and smashing the glass of the fanlight,
And squeezed themselves through with a great fight.

A little boy's leg was fractured while jumping from the gallery,
And by doing so he saved his life miraculously;
And every one of the artistes were in a sorry plight,
Because all their properties was burnt on that night.

There were about 400 or 500 people present on that night,
And oh! to them it was a most appalling sight;
When the flames swept the roof at one stroke,
'Twas then that a fearful yell from the audience broke.

And in a short time the interior was one mass of flames,
And nothing but the bare walls now remains;
But thank God it did not occur on Monday night,
Or else it would have been a more pitiable sight.

Because there was an over-crowded audience on Monday night.
The theatre was packed in every corner left and right,
Which certainly was a most pleasant sight,
And seemingly each heart was filled with delight.

The courage of Mr. T. Turner was wonderful to behold,
A private in the 92nd Highlanders, he was a hero bold;
Because he cast off his tunic and cap without delay,
And rescued several of the people without dismay.

Yet many were burned and disfigured in the face,
While trying hard to escape from that burning place;
Because with fear and choking smoke
Many of their hearts were almost broke.

But accidents will happen both on sea and land,
And the works of the Almighty is hard to understand;
And thank God there's only a few has fallen victims to the fire,
But I hope they are now in Heaven, amongst the Heavenly choir.





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