Punch, or the London Charivari
Volume 105, November 25th 1893
edited by Sir Francis Burnand
POPULAR SONGS RE-SUNG.—"AFTER THE BALL."
[The authors of the various versions of this "popular song" will not,Mr. Punch is sure, object to its refrain being used in a far wider sense—beingapplied, so to speak, to a more extensive sphere—than they contemplated.]
Man, youth or maiden, amateurs, pros.,
Season of snow-storms, time of the rose,
'Tis the same story all have to tell!
Not even Kipling's go half as well.
Nay: and this story is real and true.
All England over, Colonies too,
Cricketers, golfers, footballers, all
One pursuit follow—they're After the Ball!
Chorus—
After one ball-game's over,
Promptly the next seems born;
Quickly the Blackburn Rover
Treads on the "Corn Stalk's" corn.
Grace, Gunn, and Read, the Brothers
Renshaw, fall off with the Fall;
But there come hosts of others—
After the Ball!
Lords and the Oval, crowded and bright,
Send King Willow's subjects wild with delight.
What are they doing 'midst shout and cheer?
Smiting and chasing a small brown sphere!
Fielded. Sir! Well hit!! Played, indeed!!! Wide!!!!
Oh, well returned, Sir! Caught! No! Well tried!
Cheering! Half-maddened! And what means it all?
Grown men grown boys again—After the Ball!
Chorus—
Sixer, or maiden over,
Misfield that moves young scorn,
Every true cricket-lover
Stares at from early morn.
Watching the "champion" scoring,
Ring and pavilion, all
Chattering, cheering, roaring,
After the Ball!
Then in October's chill and gloom,
Wickets for goals make reluctant room.
Talk is of "forwards," and "backs," and "tries."
"Footbawl Herdition!" the newsboy cries.
Fancy that, for a sportsman's fad!
Players go frantic, and critics mad;
Pros. and amateurs squabble and squall,
And cripples seek hospital—After the Ball!
Chorus—
After the Ball the "Rovers"
Rush, and the "Villans" troop;
"Wolves"—who have lamb-like lovers—
Worry and whirl and whoop.
Scrimmages fierce, wild jostles,
Many a crashing fall,
Follow as "Blade" hunts "Throstle,"
After the Ball!
Balls are not all of leather, alas!
Cricket, golf, tennis, and football pass;
But Roberts the marvellous, Peall the clever,
Like the Laureate's Brook, can go on for