“The Old and New” Jim Stewart 63

“The Maggie Law”

Words and Music by Dave Ramsay, 2007

Kincardine’s wild and rocky coast Wis well known for its dangers more than most Wi’ reefs and rocks and cliffs sae steep Many ships and sailors came to grief.

Chorus The Gurden surf boat the Maggie Law, The Gurden surf boat the Maggie Law.

Now the answer tae saving fishermen’s lives Wis tae build a boat that could match the tides A surf- boat that could ride the foam And bring shipwrecked sailors and fishermen home.

In the month of March 1890 The fishermen of Gurdon they did agree Tae build a boat and pay the fee A penny in the pound was the price agreed.

James (Jeems) Mowatt wi’ boatbuilding skills Made a craft that would fairly fit the bill A finer boat ye never saw The Gurden surf-boat the Maggie Law.

30 feet in length and a beam of 6 feet She rowed six oars steered by a long sweep Wi’ throwing line and life-saving gear She took pride o’ place at the eastern pier

This proud surf-boat as her record tells Battled the sea in squalls and swells In 40 years tae be precise She saved a total of 36 lives.

As she sits today in her Gurden shed Proud of the men she plucked from the dead Ye can feel gey humble, spare a thocht or twa For the brave crewmen of the Maggie Law.