The Captain's Song
by Walter H. Kemp
I
“I am the Captain of the Oxford boat,
And a right good captain too”,
“You’re very, very good,
And be it understood,
I command a right good crew.”
“We’re very, very good
and be it understood
he commands a right good crew.”
“When the Cambridge boat is near,
Our Cox knows how to steer
And cries ‘lads listen to me,’
‘We never, never quail,
And we never have to bale,
Nor are frightened by the big, big C’
“What never?” “No never!”
“What never?” “Hardly ever”
“Never frightened by the big, big C:
So give three cheers both strong and true
To the hearty oarsmen of the Oxford Crew.”
II
“I hope this Dinner satisfies you all”
“Yes, we are quite content.”
“But Oxonians so true
Let them spare a moment too
The light blue to compliment.”
“But Oxonians so true
Let them spare a moment too
The light blue to compliment.”
“They rowed with all their might,
And put up quite a fight
And pulled with all their strengths,
Next year they’ll come again
And fight with might and main
To make up those five lengths.”
“Will they ever?” “They’ll persevere.”
“Will they ever?” “They’ll endeavour”
“To make up those five lengths:
So give three cheers both strong and true
To the gallant oarsmen of the Cambridge crew.”
[delivered by Walter H. Kemp (Exeter, 1963) at the Halifax Boat Race Dinner during dessert 5 May, 2006]
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Oxford power on, 2 April, 2006:
152nd Boat Race. Oxford won on a rough Thames.
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