Sir Henry Newbolt, Play up and play the game Options

[Guest__*]

This is very much Victorian and tales of the British Raj.
Not that we want to go back there, but it underlines the code of honour which was carried by every British schoolboy pre 1945.
Anything not quite ethical or honourable was referred to as  not cricket. Always supposing of course, that the schoolboy played cricket.

Most of us did.
We will continue to play the game, until the Big Umpire gives us out.

Vitai Lampada

There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night -
Ten to make and the match to win -
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
An hour to play and the last man in.
And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

The sand of the desert is sodden red, -
Red with the wreck of a square that broke; -
The Gatling's jammed and the colonel dead,
And the regiment blind with dust and smoke.
The river of death has brimmed his banks,
And England's far, and Honour a name,
But the voice of schoolboy rallies the ranks,
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

This is the word that year by year
While in her place the School is set
Every one of her sons must hear,
And none that hears it dare forget.
This they all with a joyful mind
Bear through life like a torch in flame,
And falling fling to the host behind -
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"


.

[Guest_codger_*]

Nice one tom--I remember it well, and cricket  

Gerry.