Did you know that the Varsity Rugby Club had its own song? Written by scholar-athlete Froggy de la Mare in the early 1900s, 'Green and Gold' celebrates the spirit of Varsity rugby. It should be sung to the tune of 'The Old Brigade'. So out with the smoking jacket, fill your pipe, top up that glass of port and make your voice heard.



These are the men we sing to-day
Whose metal is tried and true,
Who fight our battles at work and play,
Wherever there's work to do.

When breath comes short in twilight grey,
And foemen are breaking through,
Show me the men who love the fray,
Show me the faithful few.

Chorus

For whether it's football of hockey,
Whether its bone or brain,
These are the men
Leading us when
We are fighting with might and main

First we shall sing of the trusty few,
Who have toiled from morn till e'en;
Winning the hood with the lining blue.
Wearing the jersey green.
Down to the rush in the fading light,
While the hostile clamours ring,
Under the lamp through the waning night -
These are the men we sing.

Chorus

For whether it's football of hockey,
Whether its bone or brain,
These are the men
Leading us when
We are fighting with might and main

While we are singing of bone and brain,
The gladness of turf and air,
We'll add a sweetness to our refrain.
A sweetness rich and fair.
Sing to the health in the sunburnt cheek,
The strength in the eye's reserve;
The College girls who for wisdom seek,
And the shrine of Pallas serve.

Chorus

And whether it's tennis or hockey
Let her be the dance's queen
Who joins the game
And loves our fame,
And whose favour is gold and green.

Far from the College upon the hill,
Far shall her children roam,
Seeking knwoledge and gaining skill,
To the Empire's Island Home.
Great the work that the master asks,
Great the heart and the brain;
So put best to the Empire's task
Tighten the golden chain.

Chorus

For whether it's doing or thinking.
He of the finest brain.
Will bear our loads,
And with the 'Rhodes',
And will strengthen the golden chain.

After our College days are done,
And our hall with ivy grown,
Back from the fields where their fame was won.
We'll gather to cheer them home.
We'll sing the praise of strong and true,
Wherever such men are seen,
We'll raise a shout for the faithful who
Have worn the gold and green.

Chorus

For whether it's here or in England,
Those men shall ever be keen,
Working a way,
Loving the fray,
As when flying the gold and green.