The Hockey Song
By M.E.Barwell, 1894
The Hockey Club was founded in 1890. The Annual Girton v. Newnham Match was first played in 1892 and a Silver Challenge Cup was presented by A.I.M.Elliot of Newnham, in 1893. This match was for many years a very important fixture in the College Calendar.
Tune: Wot Cher
Lyrics
To our ground there came a hostile force;
They were bent on beating us, of course;
And the College cheered till it grew hoarse,
While fiercer still and fiercer grew the fray.
See our players in their scarlet shirts,
Tassel’d hockey caps and short blue skirts;
Little reck they of their wounds and hurts -
These are all the order of the day.
Chorus:
“Play up!” all the College cried;
“Pass out to the wing, girls!
That’s the sort of thing, girls!”
Run! I thought I should have died!
Knocked it through the Newnham goal!
I can tell you that my heart beat fast
When the enemy our half-back passed,
Swept on madly like an angry blast,
Till there seemed no hope for us at all;
But though round the posts the fray was thick,
Our goal-keeper played up like a brick;
She just stepped out and she waved her stick -
Right above their heads flew off the ball.
Chorus:
etc.
Wing, just waiting in the proper place,
Went off with it at a lively pace;
All the forwards up the field did race,
Nor stopped until a goal for us they scored.
They soon saw they must play up all they knew,
If to vanquish us they wanted to.
And I shan’t forget the noisy crew
Crying, “Play up, Girton!” how they roared!
Chorus:
etc.
I’ve no patience with those whiny folk,
Who when both their legs are nearly broke
Will not treat the matter as a joke,
Take things as they come and show some pluck.
Here’s to all who play a sturdy game
On the Hockey Ground, their field of fame,
To the glory of the College name;
Here’s to all the team and their good luck!
Chorus:
etc.