TUG-OF-WAR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2363, 31 May 1892, Page 3

TUG-OF-WAR.

TO MR MICK SCANNELL AND HIS TEAM DO I MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATE. ’Twas the 18th of May in the year, ’92, That a team to fight for Ireland journeyed to Timaru, In a national tug-of-war, o’er which excitement had been keen, Thinking to do ould Ireland for fighting for the green. They were captained by Mick Scannell, As fine a lad as e’er was seen, Who said “ We shan’t get done boys, For a wearing o’ the green.”

The first pull was a tough one, But our in, Live country won; We pulled the railway over—- . .Timaru’s greatest gun. But the second pull was hard fought, Such a one had ne’er been seen— The Colonials pulled us inch by inch While fighting for the green.

The next pull was with the Union, Timaru’s manliest team, Who, although they pulled against us, Were pleased to see ns win. But the next was with rhe Champions, Who thought such a dead bird had never been, Than pulling old Ireland’s team over For a fighting for the green.

But, alas, they were disappointed, For before HO minutes were o'er The champion team of Colonials Was pulled across the floor, The excitement was tremendous, But with the Irish it was so keen When they saw their country were winning And holding up the green.

We will shout “ Hurrah for Ireland! ” For the victory we have won, And an extra cheer for Scannell, boys, The man who led us on. We showed our superiority Over Timaru’s strongest team. Which strengthen’s our heart to oul dlreland Through winning for the green. W. J. Higgins. Temuka, May 27th, 1893.

[We were under the impression is was for the greed (£25) they pulled, but now find it was all for the green. Mr Higgins in a note accompanying this poem, says he showed it to two Dutchmen who could not understand English, and they pronounced it very good. This fact has induced us to give a place to this poem, as we believe it must be good when such capable critics pronounced it so.— Ed.]