The Little Man Cricketer
O, Cricket’s a game for a real live man,
Keep fit, little man, keep fit!
So get out in the open whenever you can,
Keep fit, little man, keep fit!
Don’t stay in the house to play with the cat,
But put on your flannels and take your bat,
If you don’t you will only grow flabby and fat,
Keep fit, little man, keep fit!
Slack fielding loses many match,
On your toes, little man, on your toes!
Who knows the cost of one dropped catch?
On your toes, little man, on your toes!
Don’t stand stock -still or you might take root,
But stand on the tip of each well-spiked boot,
If you let them go by you, the crowd will hoot,
On your toes, little man, on your toes!
And whether the game you lose or win,
Just smile, little man, just smile!
Whether you’re given out or in,
Just smile, little man, just smile!
With grousing, a sportsman can have no truck,
Though once in a way you are out of luck,
And are bowled first ball, middle peg, for a duck,
Just smile, little man, just smile!
Frank Jones