One man’s ambition for a city beautiful,
Between the High Street and the harbour, he had a vision full.
A majestic civic centre located on the Earl Grey Dock
Combine all the stations into one Hauptbahnhof.

And didn’t he try to convince those in doubt,
Didn’t he work every fine detail out.
How different this city could be now had they listened then.

The city would have gained a large riverside park,
But politicians prevented him from practicing his art.
No need they cried for a ‘Venice of Scotland’ here,
And when his main supporters deserted, for the worst he feared.

And didn’t he try to convince those in doubt,
Didn’t he work every fine detail out.
How different this city could be now had they listened then.

Then the harbour authorities started to play hardball,
Refused to release the land upon which depended it all.
The Town Council stepped in to veto all outstanding plans
Abandoning all but a fraction of this vision grand.

And didn’t he try to convince those in doubt,
Didn’t he work every fine detail out.
How different this city could be now had they listened then.

Only the Town Hall was built, beside the city square,
And the old one was demolished, leading to protests everywhere.
Yet another building lost that the city’s people held dear,
To this day they wait still for that defining central sphere.

And didn’t he try to convince those in doubt,
Didn’t he work every fine detail out.
How different this city could be now had they listened then.