From the recording Margaret's Shore - Only One Crown – The Ballad of Margaret Wilson
“Only One Crown – The Ballad of Margaret Wilson” is a folk-inspired cinematic Gospel ballad honoring the courageous Christian witness of Margaret Wilson on Scotland’s Solway shore. Bound as the rising tide surrounds her, Margaret refuses to surrender the throne of her conscience to any earthly monarch. Her confidence rests in Jesus Christ alone—the King of kings and Lord of His Church.
Through finger-picked guitar, mournful fiddle, low whistle, piano, bodhrán, and subtle bagpipes, the song moves between Margaret’s imagined final testimony and a narrator’s call to the present generation. Although she wrote no book, preached from no stage, and composed no anthem, her surrendered life became a message that still speaks across the centuries.
The recurring declaration—“Only one crown, only one throne”—proclaims that every earthly ruler and temporary glory must ultimately bow before Jesus. Margaret’s shore therefore becomes more than the setting of a martyrdom; it becomes a place of decision, calling every generation to choose its King, remain faithful under pressure, and confess the one eternal Name: Jesus alone.
Watch a free You-Tube video about her life and testimony at this link:
https://youtu.be/tiLlkBjfSJo?si=3AQkFbAU9or1PvVs
Lyrics
Margaret's Shore
Creation Date
24 Jul 2026, 1:01 PM
Characters
2867
Genres
guitar, fiddle, saxophone-driven, piano, gospel
Languages
English
Vocalist gender
Random
“Only One Crown” – the Ballad of Margaret Wilson
Key Bm | 6/8 | 70 BPM | Folk-inspired ballad with cinematic build
[ SONGER – Female lead on Verses 1 & 2 (Margaret’s voice); Male lead on Verse 3 & Bridge (narrator/call); 2-part harmony on Chorus & Tag; gentle 6/8 finger--picked guitar, mournful fiddle, low whistle; final chorus swells with bodhrán & light bagpipes. ]
Intro
Bm A G Bm
Verse 1 (Margaret)
Bm A 8G D/F#
Tide is rising round my ankles, Solway water cold and wide,
Bm A G D/F#
Ropes are biting at these young wrists, yet my heart will not untie.
Em F#
Crowds may jeer, soldiers threaten,
Em F#
Still I lift Psalm Twenty-five—
G A Bm
“For You I wait, O God of truth, my life in You alive.”
Verse 2 (Margaret)
Bm A G D/F#
King Charles, King James, and every monarch claim a scepter not their own;
Bm A G D/F#
They may govern lands and armies, but not the throne within my soul.
Em F#
Let the water cover breathing,
Em F#
It cannot drown the flame I know—
G A Bm
Love of Christ, my only anthem, stronger than the undertow.
Chorus (duet)
G D/F# Em
Only one crown shines forever,
G D/F# Em
Only one throne rules above;
A F#
Kings of earth will bend their knees,
Bm G
Lay their glory in the dust.
G D/F# Em
I fear no tide, I break no vow—
G D/F# Em
Chains can’t silence heaven’s song.
A F#
Jesus Christ, the King of kings—
Bm Bm (hold)
Lord of His Church, my Lord alone.
Verse 3 (narrator)
Bm A G D/F#
She wrote no book, sang no anthem, preached no sermon from a stage—
Bm A G D/F#
Yet her life became the message echoing across the age.
Em F#
Tide rolls out, stones remember
Em F#
Footprints washed yet cannot fade—
G A Bm
Blood and water spoke of Jesus, thundered “Worthy is the Lamb!”
Bridge (male lead, rising)
G A Bm
O children of this generation, choose your King today;
G A Bm
Let no crown of earthly splendour steal your heart away.
Em F# Bm
Stand like Margaret on the shoreline, fearless in His grace—
Em F# F#
Every tide will bow before the Lord of every age!
Chorus 2 (full band, 2-part harmony)
(Repeat Chorus)
Tag (a cappella, whispered swell)
G D/F# Em
Only one crown… only one throne…
A F#
Only one Name— Jesus alone.
Bm Bm (let ring)
[Songer production cues]
Intro & Verses: sparse guitar + airy fiddle.
Bridge: add bodhrán pulse + low whistle harmony.
Chorus 2: full ensemble; bagpipes enter subtly on final Tag.
End on silent count-off as vocals fade.