Produced by Malcolm Farmer, Lesley Halamek, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net * * * * * 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--being applied, so to speak, to a more extensive _sphere_--than they contemplated.] [Illustration] 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 ever! The ivory ball--like the carvings odd In a Buddhist shrine--seems an ivory god; And "A Million Up" will be next the call Of the "exhibitionists"--After the Ball! _Chorus_--