Explore "Cricket Songs" by Norman Gale on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
O Bowler, Bowler, when the day is hot, / Nor any more a wicket you can get; / When Curl and Length and Pace are Gone to Pot / Before the blade of him serenely set, / "IS" life worth living -- life which only means / Your ev'ry ball receives stupendous Beans, / And that dread Bat a mighty harvest gleans / While your Analysis sinks deep in debt? / He cuts the leather hard and square, / Nor recks he if it shoots or kicks; / He sends you clean beyond the screen, / And lifts you o'er the Baths for six?
O Bowler, Bowler, when the Swells all frown / And say your non-success is due to Stodge; / When you in vain invoke the House of Brown / For help the brilliant Batsman to dislodge, / "IS" life worth living -- life which only sends / Reproachful glances from despondent friends, / A varied action and a change of ends, / The subtle slow, the Daisy-cutter's dodge? / The Batsman smacks you to the Courts, / And drives you mad with cunning snicks; / He wipes you clean beyond the screen, / And crumps you o'er the Baths for six!