The Burning Of The Steamer City Of Montreal Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AAAA BBCD EEFF BBGG EEHI JJKK LMNN OOPQ RRKK AAAA LMSS EEKK OOTU KKUT| A sad tale of the sea I will relate which will your hearts appal | A |
| Concerning the burning of the steamship City of Montreal | A |
| Which had on board two hundred and forty nine souls in all | A |
| But alas a fearful catastrophe did them befall | A |
| - | |
| The steamer left New York on the th August with a general cargo | B |
| Bound for Queenstown and Liverpool also | B |
| And all went well until Wednesday evening the th | C |
| When in an instant an alarming fire was discovered at length | D |
| - | |
| And most of the passengers had gone to their berths for the night | E |
| But when the big bell rang out oh what a pitiful sight | E |
| To see mothers and their children crying was most heartrending to behold | F |
| As the blinding smoke began to ascend from the main hold | F |
| - | |
| And the smoke before long drifted down below | B |
| Which almost choked the passengers and filled their hearts with woe | B |
| Then fathers and mothers rushed madly upon the deck | G |
| While the crew were struggling manfully the fire to check | G |
| - | |
| Oh it was a soul harrowing and horrible sight | E |
| To see the brave sailors trying hard with all their might | E |
| Battling furiously with the merciless flames | H |
| With a dozen of hose but still the fire on them gains | I |
| - | |
| At length it became apparent the steamer couldn't be saved | J |
| And the passengers were huddled together and some of them madly raved | J |
| And the family groups were most touching to see | K |
| Especially husbands and wives embracing each other tenderly | K |
| - | |
| The mothers drew their little ones close to them | L |
| Just like little lambs huddled together in a pen | M |
| While the white foaming billows was towering mountains high | N |
| And one and all on God for protection did cry | N |
| - | |
| And when the Captain saw the steamer he couldn't save | O |
| He cried come men prepare the boats to be launched on the briny wave | O |
| Be quick and obey my orders let each one bear a hand | P |
| And steer the vessel direct for Newfoundland | Q |
| - | |
| Then the men made ready the boats which were eight on board | R |
| Hurriedly and fearlessly with one accord | R |
| And by eight o'clock on Thursday morning everything was ready | K |
| For the passengers to leave the burning steamer that was rolling unsteady | K |
| - | |
| Then Captain Land on his officers loudly did call | A |
| And the cheery manliness of him inspired confidence in all | A |
| Then he ordered the men to lower the boats without delay | A |
| So the boats were launched on the stormy sea without dismay | A |
| - | |
| Then women and children were first put into them | L |
| Also a quantity of provisions then followed the men | M |
| And as soon as the boats were loaded they left the steamer's side | S |
| To be tossed to and fro on the ocean wide | S |
| - | |
| And just as they left the burning ship a barque hove in sight | E |
| Which filled the poor creatures' hearts with delight | E |
| And the barque was called the Trebant of Germany | K |
| So they were all rescued and conveyed to their homes in safety | K |
| - | |
| But before they left the barque they thanked God that did them save | O |
| From a cold and merciless watery grave | O |
| Also the Captain received their thanks o'er and o'er | T |
| Whilst the big waves around the barque did sullenly roar | U |
| - | |
| So good people I warn ye ail to be advised by me | K |
| To remember and be prepared to meet God where'er ye may be | K |
| For death claims his victims both on sea and shore | U |
| Therefore be prepared for that happy land where all troubles are o'er | T |
William Topaz Mcgonagall
(1)
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