Here's a selection of Rugby songs lovingly compiled by our chairman Andy Foster. You can download them all in either Word or Adobe Acrobat format. If you don't have an Adobe reader, click the Adobe icon to download free of charge from the Adobe site. If you have any rugby songs you'd like adding to this list, please email info@mansfieldrugby.co.uk

1. Sixteen Tons

Some people say a man is made outta mud
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood skin and bone
A mind that's a weak and a back that's strong

You load sixteen tons and what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me ´cause I can't go
O owe my soul to the company store

I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
I took my shovel went to the mine
And loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said:" Well, bless your soul"
You load sixteen tons and what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me ´cause I can't go
O owe my soul to the company store

I was born one mornin´ in the drizzling rain
Fightin' and trouble are my middle name
If you see me coming you better step aside
A lotta men didn't and a lotta men died
You load sixteen tons and what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me ´cause I can't go
O owe my soul to the company store

Special verse:
‘Calla’ was born one mornin´ in the drizzling rain
Fightin' and trouble are his middle name
He’s got one fist of Iron the other of Steel
And if the left don’t get yer then the right one will!
You load sixteen tons and what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me ´cause I can't go
O owe my soul to the company store

2. Swing Low Sweet Chariot

Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home;
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home.

I looked over Jordan, and
What did I see,
Comin' for to carry me home?
A band of angels comin' after me,
Comin' for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home

If you get there before I do
Comin' for to carry me home,
Tell all my friends I'm comin' too
Comin' for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home;

3. Flower of Scotland

O flower of Scotland
When will we see
Your like again,
That fought and died for
Your wee bit Hill and Glen
And stood against him
Proud Edward's Army,
And sent him homeward
Tae think again.

Those days are past now
And in the past they must remain
But we can still rise now
And be the nation again
That stood against him
Proud Edward's Army
And sent him homeward,
Tae think again.

O Flower of Scotland
When will we see
Your like again,
That fought and died for
Your wee bit Hill and Glen
And stood against him
Proud Edward's Army,
And sent him homeward
Tae think again.

4. Bread of Heaven

Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou are mighty,
Hold me with thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong deliverer,
Be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fear subside;
Death of death, and hell's destruction.
Land me safe on Canaan's side:
Songs of praises
I will ever give to thee.

5. Cockles & Mussels

In Dublin's fair city,
where the girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
As she wheel'd her wheel barrow
Thro' streets broad and narrow

Chorus
Crying "Cockles and Mussels alive, alive O!"
Alive, alive O! Alive, alive O
Crying Cockles and Mussels Alive, alive O!

She was a fishmonger,
But sure 'twas no wonder,
For so were her father and mother before,
And they each wheel'd their barrow
Thro' streets broad and narrow,

Repeat Chorus…
She died of a fever
And no one could save her,
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone;
But her ghost wheels her barrow
Thro' streets broad and narrow

Repeat Chorus…

6. Black Velvet Band

Chorus first

Her eyes they shone like diamonds,
You'd think her the queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulder,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

As I went walking down Broadway,
Not meaning to stay very long,
I met with a frolicsome Damsel,
As she came a-traipsing along.

Her eyes they shone like diamonds,
You'd think her the queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulder,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

A watch she pulled out of her pocket,
And slipped it right into my hand,
On the very first day that I met her,
Bad luck to the black velvet band.

Her eyes they shone like diamonds,
You'd think her the queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulder,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

Before the judge and the jury,
The next morning we both did appear,
And the gentlemen swore to the jury,
The case was proven quite clear,

Her eyes they shone like diamonds,
You'd think her the queen of the land,
And her hair hung over her shoulder,
Tied up with a black velvet band.

For seven years transportation,
Down to the Van Dieman's Land,
Far away from my friends and relations,
To follow the Black Velvet Band.

Repeat chorus…

7. Danny Boy

Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.

But come you back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'tis I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.

And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.

And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
I simply sleep in peace until you come to me.

8. The Wild Rover

've been a wild rover for many a year,
And I've spent all my money on whiskey and beer,
But now I'm returning with gold in great store,
And I never will play the wild rover no more.

And it's No, Nay, Never,
No, Nay, Never, No more,
Will I play the wild rover,
No, never, No more.

I went into an alehouse I used to frequent,
And I told the landlady my money was spent,
I asked her for credit, she answered me Nay,
Such custom as yours I could have every day.

Repeat chorus…

I brought up from my pockets 10 sovereigns bright,
And the landlady's eyes lit up with delight,
She said I have whiskey and wines of the best,
And the words that I spoke were only in jest

Repeat chorus…

I'll go home to my parents, confess what I've done,
And I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son.
And when they've caressed me as oft times before,
I never will play the wild rover no more.

Repeat chorus…

9. It’s a Long Way to Tipperary

It’s a long way to Tipperary,
It’s a long way to go,
It’s a long way to Tipperary,
To the sweetest girl I know.
Goodbye Piccadilly,
Farewell Leicester Square,
It’s a long, long way to Tipperary,
But my heart’s right there.

10. Pack up your Troubles

Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag
and smile, smile, smile
While you’ve a Lucifer to light your fag,
Smile boys that’s the style.
What’s the use of worrying?
It never was worth while,
So! Pack up you troubles in your old kit bag,
And smile, smile, smile.

11. Wonder Wall

Today is gonna be the day
That they're gonna throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realised what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do, about you now …

Backbeat, the word was on the street
That the fire in your heart is out
I'm sure you've heard it all before
But you never really had a doubt
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now …

And all the roads we have to walk are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I
Would like to say to you but I don't know how
Because maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all, you're my wonderwall

Today was gonna be the day
But they'll never throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realised what you're not to do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do, about you now …

And all the roads that lead you there are winding
And all the lights that light the way are blinding
There are many things that I
Would like to say to you but I don't know how
I said maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all, you're my wonderwall
I said maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all, you're my wonderwall

12. Delilah

I saw the light on the night that I passed by her
Window,
I saw the flickering shadows of love on her blind,
She was my woman, as she deceived me I watched
And went out of my mind.

Chorus
My, my, my Delilah, Why, why, why Delilah,
I could see that girl was no good for me,
But I was lost like a slave that no man could free.

At break of day when that man drove away I was
Waiting,
I crossed the street to her house and I knocked
On her door,
She stood there laughing, I felt the knife in my
Hand and she laughed no more

My, my, my Delilah, Why, why, why Delilah,
So before they come to knock down the door
Forgive me Delilah I just couldn’t take any more
Forgive me Delilah I just couldn’t take any more

13. You’ll Never Walk Alone

When you walk through a storm,
Hold your head up high,
And don’t be afraid of the dark.
At the end of the storm
There’s a golden sky,
And the sweet silver song of a lark.

Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Though your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, Walk on,
With hope in your heart.
And you’ll never walk alone.
You’ll never walk alone.

14. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

Always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the light side of life

If life seems jolly rotten
Then there’s something you’ve forgotten
An that’s to laugh and smile and dance and sing
When you’re feeling in the dumps
Don’t be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle
That’s the thing.
And …

Always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the light side of life

For life is quite absurd
And death’s the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow
Forget about your sin
And give the audience a grin
Enjoy it, it’s your last chance anyhow

So…

Always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the light side of life

Life’s a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life’s a laugh and death’s a joke … it’s true
You’ll see it’s all a show
Keep ‘em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you

And …

Always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the right side of life …

15. I Believe

I believe for every drop of rain that falls
a flower grows,
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night
a candle glows,
I believe for everyone who goes astray
Someone will come to show the way

I believe, I believe

I believe above the storm the smallest prayer
will still be heard,
I believe that someone in the great somewhere
hears every word.
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry or
touch a leaf or see the sky
Then I know why I BELIEVE

16. Amazing Grace

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.

‘Twas grace, that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fear relieved,
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
We have already come,
‘Twas grace that brought us safe thus far,
and grace will lead us home.

17. Daisy Daisy

Daisy, Daisy
Give me your answer, do,
I’m half crazy,
All for the love of you.
It won’t be a stylish marriage,
I can’t afford a carriage,
But you’ll look sweet,
Upon the seat,
Of a bicycle made for two

18. By the Light of the Silvery Moon

By the light of the silvery moon,
I love to spoon, with my honey and croon
love’s tune,
Honeymoon,
Keep a shining in June
Your silvery beams, will bring love’s dreams
We’ll be cuddling soon
By the light of the moon

19. When the Red, Red, Robin

When the red, red robin comes
bob, bob, bobbing along, along.
There’ll be no more sobbin’
when he starts throbbin’
his old sweet song.
Wake up, wake up you sleepy head,
Get up, get up, get out of bed,
Cheer up, cheer up, the sun is red,
Live, love, laugh and be happy.
What if I’ve been blue,
Now I’m walking through
fields of flowers.
Rain may glisten,
But still I listen for hours and hours.
I’m just a kid again,
doin’ what I did again,
Singing a song,
When the red, red robin comes
Bob, bob, bobbin’ along

20. The Wreck of the John B

We sailed on the sloop John B,
My grandpappy and me.
Round Nassau town we did roam.
Drinking all night, got into a fight,
I feel so broke up, I want to go home.

Chorus
So hoist up the John B’s sails,
See how the mainsail’s set
Send for the captain ashore, let me go home
I want to go home I want to go home
I feel so broke up, I want to go home

The first mate, he got drunk,
Broke in the captains trunk
Constable came aboard and took him away
Sheriff John Stone please let me alone
I feel so broke up I want to go home.

Chorus…

Poor cook he got the fits,
Threw away all the grits,
Then he took and ate up all of my corn,
Let me go home. I want to go home,
I feel so broke up I want to go home.

Chorus…

The captain is a wicked man
Beats us every time that he can
He don’t care about old Grandpappy and me
Let me go home. I want to go home
This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on.

21. The Medley

We were strolling along
On moonlight bay
You could here the voices ringing
They seem to say
You have stolen my heart
Now don’t go away
As we sang loves old sweet song
On moonlight bay

The bells are ringing for me and my gal
Scooby do Scooby do
The birds are singing for me and my gal
Everybody is knowing
To a wedding they’re going
And for weeks they’ve been sowing
Every Suzie and Sal

They’re congregating for me and my gal
Scooby do Scooby do
The Parsons waiting
For me and my gal
And some day soon
We’re gonna build a little home for two
Or three or four or more
In love land for me and my gal

Abe Abe Abe my boy
What are you waiting for now
You promised to marry me some day in June
It’s never too late and it’s never too soon
All the family
Keep on asking me
Which way what way I’m in the family way
Abe Abe Abe my boy
What are you waiting for now

We’re gonna wait till the sun shines Nelly
And the clouds go drifting by
We’ll be together Nelly
Sweet by and by
Down lovers lane we’ll wander
Sweethearts you and I
We’re wait till the sun shines Nelly
Sweet by and by

I want some beer
Just like the beer
That pickled dear old Dad
It was the beer
And the only beer that Daddy ever had
Good old fashioned beer with lots of foam
It took six men to carry Daddy home
I want some beer
Just like the beer
That pickled dear old Dad

Roll over Mabel it’s better on the other side…

22. Show me the Way to Go Home

Show me the way to go home,
I’m tired and I want to go to bed,
I had a little drink about an hour ago,
And its gone right to my head.

Wherever I may roam,
Through land or sea or foam,
You can always hear me
Singing this song,
Show me the way to go home.

23. Jerusalem

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England’s mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England’s pleasant pasture seen?
And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among those dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England’s green and pleasant land.

24. Daydream Believer

Oh I could hide neath the wings
Of the bluebird as she sings
The six o’clock alarm would never ring
But it rings and I rise
Wipe the sleep out of my eyes
My shaving razor’s cold and it stings

Cheer up sleepy Jean
O what can it mean
To a daydream believer
And a home coming Queen

You once thought of me
As a white Knight on a steed
Now you know how happy I can be
O our good times start and ends
Without dollar one to spend
But how much baby do we really need

Cheer up sleepy Jean
O what can it mean
To a daydream believer
And a home coming Queen

25. I Wanna Hold Your Hand

Oh yeh, I'll tell you something,
I think you'll understand,
When I say that something,
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand

Oh please, say to me
You'll let me be your man,
And please say to me
You'll let me hold you hand,
Now let me hold your hand,
I wanna hold your hand.

And when I touch you I feel happy inside
It's such a feeling
That my love I can't hide,
I can't hide, I can't hide

Yeh, you got that something,
I think you'll understand,
When I say that something,
I wanna hold your hand,
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand.

And when I touch you I feel happy inside
It's such a feeling
That my love I can't hide,
I can't hide, I can't hide

Yeh, you got that something,
I think you'll understand,
When I feel that something,
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand.
I wanna hold your hand.

26. Billy Don’t be a Hero

The marching band came along Main Street
The Soldier Blues fell in behind
I looked across and there I saw Billy
Waiting to go and join the line
And with her head upon his shoulder
His young and lovely fiancé
From where I stood I saw she was crying
And through her tears I heard her say

Billy don’t be a hero
Don’t be a fool with your life
Billy don’t be a hero
Come back and make me your wife
And as they started to go
She said
Billy keep your head low

Billy don’t be hero
Come back to me

The Soldier Blues were trapped on a hillside
The battle raging all around
The Sargent cried we’ve got to hang on boys
We got to hold this piece of ground
I need a volunteer to ride up
And bring us back some extra men
Billy hand was up in a moment
Forgetting all the words she said
She said

Billy don’t be a hero
Don’t be a fool with your life
Billy don’t be a hero
Come back and make me your wife
And as they started to go
She said
Billy keep your head low

Billy don’t be hero
Come back to me

I heard his fiancé got a letter
That told how Billy died that day
The letter said that he was a hero
She should be proud he died that way
I heard she threw the letter….away

27. Hard Days Night

It's been a hard day's night
And I've been working like a dog
It's been a hard day's night
I should be sleeping like a log
But when I get home to you
I find the things that you do
Will make me feel all right

You know I work all day
To get you money to buy you things
And it's worth it just to hear you say
You're gonna give me everything

So why on earth should I moan
'cos when I get you alone
You know I'll feel okay

When I'm home everything seems to be right
When I'm home feeling you holding me tight, tight
Yeh

So why on earth should I moan
'cos when I get you alone
You know I'll feel okay

When I'm home everything seems to be right
When I'm home feeling you holding me tight, tight
Yeh

28. All my Loving

Close your eyes and I'll kiss you, tomorrow I'll
Miss you, remember I'll always be true
And then while I'm away, I'll write home everyday
And I'll send all my loving to you

I'll pretend that I'm kissing the lips I am missing
And hope that my dreams will come true
And then while I'm away, I'll write home everyday
And I'll send all my loving to you

All my loving I will send to you
All my loving darling, I'll be true

Close your eyes and I'll kiss you, tomorrow I'll
Miss you, remember I'll always be true
And then while I'm away, I'll write home everyday
And I'll send all my loving to you

All my loving I will send to you
All my loving darling, I'll be true

All my loving
All my loving
All my loving I will send to you

29. Help!

When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way
And now these days are gone
I'm not so self assured
Now I find I've changed my mind
I've opened up the doors

Help me if you can I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please please help me?

And now my life has changed in oh so many ways
My independence seems to vanish in the haze
But every now and then I feel so insecure
I know that I just need you like I've never
Done before

Help me if you can I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please please help me?

When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way
And now these days are gone
I'm not so self assured
Now I find I've changed my mind
I've opened up the doors

Help me if you can I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being 'round
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please help me? Help me help me ooh.

30. Country Roads

Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads

All my memories gather round her
Miner's lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads

I hear her voice, in the morning hour she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
And driving down the road I get a feeling
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mama
Take me home, country roads
Take me home, down country roads
Take me home, down country roads

31. She Loves You

She loves you, yeh, yeh, yeh
She loves you, yeh, yeh, yeh
She loves you, yeh, yeh, yeh, yeh

You think you've lost your love
Well I saw her yesterday-yi-yay
It's you she's thinking of
And she told me what to say-yi-yay
She says she loves you and you know that
Can't be bad
Yes, she loves you and you know you should be glad

She said you hurt her, so she almost lost her mind
But now she says she knows you're not the hurting kind
She says she loves you and you know that can't be bad
Yes, she loves you and you know you should be glad
She loves you, yeh, yeh, yeh, she loves you, yeh, yeh, yeh
And with a love like that you know you should be glad

You know it's up to you, I think it's only fair,
Pride con hurt you too, apologize to her because
She loves you and you know that can't be bad,
Yes, she loves you and you know you should be glad oo

She loves you, yeh, yeh, yeh, she loves you, yeh, yeh, yeh
With a love like that you know you should be glad
With a love like that you know you should be glad
With a love like that you know you should be glad
Yeh yeh, yeh yeh yeh yeh

32. Didja’ Ever

Didja' ever
Didja' ever get
Didja' ever get one
Didja' ever get one of them
Didja' ever get one of them days, boys
Didja' ever get one of them days
When nothin' is right
from mornin' till night
Didja' ever get one of them days
Didja' ever get one of them days

Ya get up in the morning and turn the shower on
You're gettin' pneumonia, the hot hot water is gone
Freezin' sneezin'
You wanna dry your back
Didja' ever get one of them days
When there's no towel on the rack

Didja' ever
Didja' ever get
Didja' ever get one
Didja' ever get one of them
Didja' ever get one of them girls, boys
Didja' ever get one of them girls
Who's awful nice
But cold as ice
Didja' ever get one of them girls
Didja' ever get one of them girls

Girls, girls, girls, girls, girls, girls, girls
You're at a drive-in movie
With a cute brunette
A countin' on the kisses that you figure to get
Closer, closer, then she hollers no!
Didja' ever get one of them girls
Who just wants to watch the show

Show, show, show, show, show, show, show
Didja' ever
Didja' ever get
Didja' ever get one
Didja' ever get one of them
Didja' ever get one of them days, boys
Didja' ever get one of them days
When nothin' is right
From mornin' to night
Didja' ever get one of them days
Didja' ever get one of them days

You're on a Sunday picnic
And then it starts to pour
You run through poison ivy, scratch until you're sore
Ants come dancin', carry off the bread
Didja' ever get one of them days
When you should a-stayed in bed

Didja' ever
Didja' ever get
Didja' ever get one
Didja' ever get one of them Daaaaays
When you should a-stayed in bed

33. Yesterday

Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away
Now it looks as though they're here to stay
Oh I believe in yesterday
Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be
There's a shadow hanging over me
Oh yesterday came suddenly
Why she had to go I don't know
She wouldn't say
I said something wrong now I long for yesterday
Yesterday love was such an easy game to play
Now I need a place to hide away
Oh I believe in yesterday
Why she had to go I don't know
She wouldn't say
I said something wrong now I long for yesterday
Yesterday love was such an easy game to play
Now I need a place to hide away
Oh I believe in yesterday

34. Club Song

To the table down at Murray’s
To the place where Loui dwelled
To the dear old Temple Bar we love so well

See the Whiff and Puff assemble
With their glasses raised on high
And the magic of their singing cast a spell.

Yes, the magic of their singing
Of the songs we love so well
Will not hasten to the dawning like the rest

We will serenade our Loui till life and love shall last
Then pass and be forgotten like the rest.

We are poor little lambs who have lost our way

Baa! Baa! Baa!

We are little black sheep that have gone astray

Baa! Baa! Baa!

Gentlemen songsters out on a spree
Doomed from here to eternity
Lord have mercy on such as we

Baa! Baa! Baa! Baa! Baa! Baaaaaa!

35. American Pie

A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that music used to make me smile. And I knew If I had my chance, that I could make those people dance and maybe they'd be happy for a while. But February made me shiver with every paper I deliver. Bad news on the doorstep I couldn't take one more step. I can't remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride. But something touched me deep inside the day the music died. So bye bye Miss American Pie. Drove my Chevy to the levy but the levy was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin whiskey and rye singing "This will be the day that I die. This will be the day that I die."

Did you write the book of love and do you have faith in God above, if the bible tells you so. Now do you believe in rock and roll? Can music save your mortal soul and can you teach me how to dance real slow? Well I know that you're in love with him, cause I saw you dancin in the gym. You both kicked off your shoes. Man, I dig those rhythm and blues. I was a lonely teenage broncin buck with a pink carnation and a pickup truck, but I knew I was out of luck the day the music died. I started singing bye bye Miss American Pie. Drove my Chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry. Them good old boys were drinkin whiskey and rye singing, "This will be the day that I die. This will be the day that I die."

Now for ten years, we've been on our own and moss grow fat on a rolling stone, but that's not how it used to be when the jester sang for the king and queen in a coat he borrowed from James Dean in a voice that came from you and me. Oh and while the king was looking down, the jester stole his thorny crown. The courtroom was adjourned. No verdict was returned. And while Lenin read a book on Marx, the quartet practiced in the park and we sang dirges in the dark the day the music died. We were singing bye bye Miss American Pie. Drove my Chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry. Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye singing, "This will be the day that I die. This will be the day that I die."

Helter skelter in a summer swelter. The birds flew off the fallout shelter. Eight miles high and falling fast. It landed foul on the grass. The players tried for a forward pass with the jester on the sidelines in a cast. Now the halftime air was sweet perfume while sergeants played a marching tune. We all got up to dance, oh, but we never got the chance. Cause the players tried to take the field, the marching band refused to yield. Do you recall what was revealed the day the music died? We started singing bye bye Miss American Pie. Drove my Chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry. Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye singing, "This will be the day that I die. This will be the day that I die."

Oh and there we were all in one place. A generation lost in space, with no time left to start again. So come on Jack be nimble, Jack be quick. Jack Flash sat on a candle stick cause fire is the Devil's only friend. Oh and as I watched him on the stage, my hands were clenched in fists of rage. No angel born in hell could break that Satan's spell. And as the planes climbed high into the night it took like the sacrificial rite. I saw Satan laughing with delight the day the music died. He was singing bye bye Miss American Pie. Drove my Chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry. Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye singing, "This will be the day that I die. This will be the day that I die."

I met a girl who sang the blues and I asked her for some happy news. But she just smiled and turned away. I went down to the sacred store where I'd heard the music years before, but the man there said the music wouldn't play. And in the streets, the children screamed, the lovers cried and the poets dreamed. But not a word was spoken. The church bells all were broken. And the three men I admire most, the father, the son and the holy ghost, they caught the last train for the coast the day the music died. And they were singing bye bye Miss American Pie. Drove my Chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry. Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye singing, "This will be the day that I die. This will be the day that I die." They were singing bye bye Miss American Pie. Drove my Chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry. Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye singing, "This will be the day that I die."

36. England who art down under

Our England,
who went down under,
Rugby be thy game
Thy scoring done
Thy Game be won
on turf as it is in heaven
Win us this World Cup with our daily drop goal
And forgive us our arrogance
As we forgive the Aussie press who were arrogant against us
Lead us not into depression
But deliver us The Webb Ellis
For thine is the England
The power and the glory
Forever and ever
Clive's Men

37. What is the allure of rugby?

An extract from 'Muddied Oafs, The Last Days of Rugger' by Richard Beard...

"Saturday afternoon in the Western Highlands and I find myself lying in a corner of the Mushroom Field, seeped in the damp of the Oban-to-Crinan canal. My cheek and eye are crushed into mud, several half-naked strangers are piled on top of me and softly, from the sea-grey sky, it starts to rain. Which is when I think, 'God, I love this game'."

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