Have you heard about the Royal Shrovetide song?
The Shrovetide Anthem was written in 1891 for a concert which was organised to raise funds to pay the fines for playing the game in the street.
Since then it is now sung each day at the pre-game lunch which is held in the Greenman Royal Hotel, Ashbourne, through invitation only.
It is then sung again on Ash Wednesday prior to the start of the day’s play, then again at 10pm to commemorate the end of Shrovetide.
The Shrovetide song #Shrovetide pic.twitter.com/rJozwDEFee
— Nick Reid (@Nick_Reid91) February 25, 2020
If you would like to sing along, a few pints should help.
Shrovetide Song
There’s a town still plays this glorious game
Tho’ tis but a little spot.
And year by year the contest’s fought
From the field that’s called Shaw Croft.
Then friend meets friend in friendly strife
The leather for to gain,
‘And they play the game right manfully,
In snow, sunshine or rain.
‘Tis a glorious game, deny it who can
That tries the pluck of an Englishman.
For loyal the Game shall ever be
No matter when or where,
And treat that Game as ought but the free,
Is more than the boldest dare.
Though the up’s and down’s of its chequered life
May the ball still ever roll,
Until by fair and gallant strife
We’ve reached the treasur’d goal.
‘Tis a glorious game, deny it who can
That tries the pluck of an Englishman.
