The Answer
By Grantland Rice
When the battle breaks against you and the crowd forgets to cheer,
When the Anvil Chorus echoes with the essence of a jeer;
When the knockers start their panning in the knocker’s nimble way,
With a rap for all your errors and a josh upon your play.
There is one quick answer ready that will nail them on the wing;
There is one reply forthcoming that will wipe away the sting;
There is one elastic come-back that will hold them, as it should,
Make good.
No matter where you finish in the mix-up or the row,
There are those among the rabble who will pan you anyhow;
But the entry who is sticking and delivering the stuff,
Can listen to the yapping as he giggles up his cuff;
The loafer has no come-back and the quitter no reply,
When the Anvil Chorus echoes, as it will, against the sky;
But there’s one quick answer ready that will wrap them in a hood,
Make good.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Great one
A common response to athletes who are paid millions complaining about things the crowd says about them is “for 50,000 a week I’d take it, I’d stay longer just to take it” because, although the crowd is shouting abuse at you, you’re a professional sportsman doing a job thousands would kill to do and you make an absolute fortune doing it – you’ve won. It’s never particularly pleasant to get but it’s much easier to hear it from a position of strength.
This is a good pick-me-up to start the work week. No matter what kind of crud they fling at you, make good.
That is very elequent ode from Grantland but one that has a powerful message. Those pro sportsmen who are paid millions yet gripe about being booed should remember that while the booing may not seem fair, supporters are entitled to their opinions.
Thanks Brett and Kate for adding that great poem.
To me it is about persistence winning through and doing the best you can with your current situation (“make good”).
Registry Easy