December 28, 1879: The bridge over the Tay at Dundee collapsed taking a passenger train down with it.

The event inspired a famous poem by Theodor Fontane and an infamous one by William McGonagall (see Mudcat thread), neither having been set to music as far as I know.

BALLAD OF THE TAY RAIL BRIDGE
by B Yellow

The station was so dark, so quiet and still,
There was nothing in the air, the air was bracing,
Christmas day had passed, he was coming home, your loved one.
And over the valleys people crying out loud,
A storm was on its way,
The memories of Christmas day flashed before your eyes,
When the truth came out.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty36a9Z4gHE