Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO MR JAMES SCRYMGEOUR, DUNDEE, by WILLIAM MCGONAGALL Poet's Biography First Line: Success to james scrymgeour Last Line: Because he is the poor man's friend. Subject(s): Christianity; Kindness | ||||||||
SUCCESS to James Scrymgeour, He's a very good man, And to gainsay it, There's few people can; Because he makes the hearts Of the poor o'erjoyed By trying to find work for them When they're unemployed. And to their complaints He has always an attentive ear, And ever ready to help them When unto him they draw near. And no matter what your occupation is, Or what is your creed, He will try to help you In the time of need; Because he has the fear Of God within his heart, And the man that fears God Always takes the poor's part. And blessed is the man That is kind to the poor; For his reward in heaven, 'Tis said in the Scripture, is sure. And I hope heaven will be Mr James Scrymgeour's reward; For his struggles on behalf of the poor Are really vexatious and hard. For he is to be seen daily Walking along our streets, With a Christian-looking countenance, And a kind word to all he meets. Besides, he is void of all pride, And wouldn't feel ashamed To be seen with a beggar Or a tinker walking by his side. Fellow-citizens of Dundee, Isn't it really very nice To think of James Scrymgeour trying To rescue fallen creatures from the paths of vice? And in the winter he tries to provide Hot dinners for the poor children of Dundee, Who are starving with hunger no doubt, And in the most abject poverty. He is a little deaf, no doubt, But not deaf to the cries of hungry men; No! he always tries to do his best To procure bread for them. And at the Sabbath-morning free-breakfasts He is often seen there, Administering to the wants of the hungry, And joining in prayer. He is a man of noble principles, As far as I can think, And the noblest principle he has got Is, he abhors the demon drink. And, in my opinion, he is right As far as I can see, And I hereby proclaim that such a man Is an honour to Dundee: Because he is always working For the poor people's good, Kind soul, trying hard To procure for them clothing and food. Success to him and his family, And may God them defend: Why? fellow-citizens of Dundee, Because he is the poor man's friend. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FOR THE SAKE OF STRANGERS by DORIANNE LAUX A CONSIDERABLE SPECK by ROBERT FROST BUT I DO NOT NEED KINDNESS by GREGORY NUNZIO CORSO HER DILEMMA; IN CHURCH by THOMAS HARDY THE TAY BRIDGE DISEASTER by WILLIAM MCGONAGALL |
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