Get Up and Tie Your Fingers

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Eyemouth Harbour, October 1881...
The greatest calamity that ever befell the fishing industry of this coast overtook it on Friday the fourteenth of October 1881, when many of our brave fishermen went down to a watery grave.
The storm was the fiercest they had ever experienced. They had no chance of getting home.
Nineteen boats were wrecked that day and one hundred and twenty nine gallant men were lost leaving seventy three widows and two hundred and sixty three fatherless children.

Based on the Play ‘Get Up and Tie Your Fingers’ by Berwick Playwright Ann Coburn, this stunning community production of ‘Get Up and Tie Your Fingers Eyemouth’ incorporates song and narration to tell the story of the fishing disaster of 1881.
‘Get Up and Tie Your Fingers Eyemouth’ illustrates the courage and resilience of those left behind
This production was first performed in 2016, when 50 community members from Eyemouth and surrounding coastal villages worked together to perform a unique performance using song, storytelling and dance. What was created was an uplifting exploration of humanity in the face of unimaginable tragedy and the hope that followed
Ten years on many of those members of the communities have come together again to perform ‘Get Up and Tie Your Fingers Eyemouth’ for one more time at DunsPlayFest 2026