Letters and Poems to P4,5,6,7: “Dinna Be Coorse ti Craiters” - Celia Craig

Now an auction it was planned for the 10th of January, Professor Struthers bid £10 for the University. John Wood he bid against him, as the auction stakes were raised, For the carcass of the whale, over £200 was paid.

Chorus

The whale it was sought after,’twas seen as a great prize. University at Aberdeen, Dundee Museum they a’ tried. There wis even a keen interest shown, frae a toon in Germany. But the skeleton of the Great Tay Whale was tae bide here in Dundee.

Chorus

The Excelsior was the tug that towed the whale back tae Dundee. At Victoria dock she was hoisted up and landed on the quay. Tae transport her tae Dock street yard, twa lorries took the whale, Tae be butchered for her blubber, and be stripped frae nose tae tail

Chorus

Now each Gourdon crewman got the price for the part that they had played, Eleven pounds, three shillings was the price they were paid, For hauling the Great Tay Whale, in 1884, On that night o’ great excitement upon the Stanehive shore.