THE DONIBRISTLE MOSS MORAN DISASTER

THE DONIBRISTLE MOSS MORAN DISASTER

by

James R Murray

On the twenty-sixth of August our fatal moss gave way

Although we did our level best, its pace we couldn't stay

Ten precious lives there were at stake, ‘Who'll save them?’ was the cry

‘We'll bring them to the surface or, along with them, we'll die.’

There was Rattray and McDonald, Hynd and Paterson

Too well they knew the dangers and the risks they had to run

They never stopped to count the cost, ‘We'll save them!’ was the cry

‘We'll bring them to the surface or, along with them, we'll die.’

They stepped upon the cage, they were ready for the fray

And sure, they all meant business as they belled themselves away

Soon they reached the bottom, far from the light of day

They went to search the workings and Tom Rattray led the way

They lost their lives, god help them. Ah, yes it was a fact

Someone put in a stopping and they never did get back

Wasn’t that another blunder?  By god, it was a sin

To put a stopping where they did, they closed our heroes in

We never shall forget them, though they have lost their lives

So let us pay attention to their children and their wives

It simply is our duty now so let us all beware

Their fathers died a noble death and left them in our care

There was Rattray and McDonald, Hynd and Paterson

Too well they knew the dangers and the risks they had to run

They never stopped to count the cost, ‘We'll save them!’ was the cry

‘We'll bring them to the surface or, along with them, we'll die.’