We Play On Fridays

The Half-time Oranges Order Troupe (HOOT) today welcomed Northern Ireland’s newest international footballer, Alex de Bruce. A spokeswoman for the HOOT, Lady Iris Robyerson, said: “Mr de Bruce is a true Ulsterman with roots in the mainland, who has fought to free himself from the chains of serfdom that has bound him to makey-uppy countries for too long. We look forward to receiving him into our bosom, erm, football team. My Gaaawwd, but he’s a fine, fit piece of Ulster manhood.”


In honour of the greatest victory since the Boyne, the HOOT has issued a modern version of a timeless classic, to be sung at half-time at Our Wee Country matches:

The Sash My Father Wore – Alex de Bruce Version

Sure I’m an Ulster footballer, from England’s isle I came,

To see my Ulster brethren always losing every game,

And to tell them of my forefather who played in days of yore,

That I might have the right to wear the strip my father (never) wore.



Chorus
It is old but it is valuable, and my agent tells to me,

It was worn at Windsor, World Cups, in España and Wembley.

My father missed it at Man U in bygone games of yore,

And as Twelfth man I’d love to wear the strip my father (never) wore!



For our wide men who crossed the ball have not thought to lose in vain,

Our Sanity, Possession, Draws and Ranking to maintain.

If the call should come I’ll follow the drum, for Worthington I swore,

That tomorrow’s Ulsterman may wear the strip my father (never) wore!



(Chorus)



And when some day across the sea in Windsor Park you land,

I’ll welcome you in football style, with no sound of Eye-er-land,

And Windsor’s stands shall echo still until we bloody score,

As I sing again the football strain of the strip my father (never) wore!



Repeat chorus and fade into obscurity….


Taken from We Play On Fridays- the only online LOI fanzine
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