The Blackthorn Bible New Testament with the Gospel according to Peter, Ned, Will and Bryan 2nd edition December 2011 Table of Contents Introduction 1 Songs You Can’t Sing to Your Mother Barnacle Bill the Sailor 32 Dedication 2 Engineer’s Song, The 35 Gold Mine in the Sky 3 Gang Bang 38 Teddy Bear’s Picnic 4 I Don’t Want to Join the Army 31 I Used to Work in Chicago 29 Original Introduction 5 Ich Bin Musiker 37 Mailman 29 The Blackthorn National Anthem My God How the Money Rolls In 31 The Wild Colonial Boy 9 Old King Cole 31 On Thanksgiving 30 Essential Blackthorn Scrotum 29 Allikazip 14 Sexual Life of a Camel, The 34 Amazing Grace 16 Songs for When You Fuck Up 35 Ass-ole 17 He Ought to Be Publicly Pissed On 35 Ball of Kerrymuir, The 11 Why Was He Born So Beautiful 35 Barrett’s Privateers 23 These Foolish Things Remind Me of You 33 Beer Farter, The 19 Was it You Who did the Pushing? 30 Blackthorn Scrum 14 Who Killed Cock Robin? 38 Blood-Red Roses 22 Wild West Show 35 Boozin’ 25 Will You Marry Me 37 Cryin’ Holy Unto My Lord 24 Woodpecker, The 29 Haul Away Joe 23 Horse’s Ass (The John Galante Song) 17 Songs You Can Sing to Your Mother If I Were the Marrying Kind 13 Songs from the British Isles Italian Greeting 17 Galway Bay 41 John the Generator 26 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah 41 Jonestown 24 Moonshiner 42 Lupe 15 Red Haired Mary 41 Maid of the Mountain, The 14 Rocky Road to Dublin 44 Maryann Barns 15 Roddy M’Corley 43 My Girl 14 Rosin the Bow 43 Old Time Religion 25 Tim Finnegan’s Wake 42 On the Piss Again 17 Up the Long Ladder 44 Rovin’ 21 Schmidt’s 24 Songs of the Sea South Australia 21 Drunken Sailor 46 Standin’ in the Need of Prayer 26 Irish Rover 46 Standing on the Bridge at Midnight 15 Santiano 47 Sunshine Mountain 27 The Ocean Waves do Roll 47 Swing Low, Sweet Chariot 15 Three Jolly Coachmen 18 Songs of the States Waltzing Matilda 19 Amazing Grace 49 Whoredean School 16 Banks of the Ohio 49 Wild Rover, The 18 My Girl 51 Song of the Salvation Army, The 49 Yogi Bear 50 Finé Parting Glass 52 Introduction It’s been 40 years since Marshall Sturm lit up the skies and created the Blackthorn Rugby Football Club. Over the years many ruggers have passed under Marshall’s mantle and have worn the green and gold socks along with the shamrock and shillelagh patch. Many have, sadly, passed away. With the ebb and flow of so many teammates, the songs that are sung at rugby parties inevitably change. Some old classics no longer make it into the party mix while newer songs favored by younger players have become staples. The original edition of the Blackthorn Bible was published in 1975 and has withstood the test of time these 36 years. With the celebration of Blackthorn’s 40th anniversary, we thought it was time to update the Bible and publish the New Testament. The original introduction and many of the annotations are preserved for posterity. The New Testament is dedicated to Marshall K. Sturm and Nevin Wood, whose love of the game and respect for the place of singing in that game made many a great singing session possible, and whose influence can be found in every page of this book. Below you will read their dedications and the song that most defined them. Thank you, Marshall and Nevin. We wish you were here to see this new edition. 1 | P a g e Dedication You were just talked into playing some crazy sport that Even before you reached the circle or bar, Marshall they told you is a cross between soccer and football. would be there acting as combination welcoming Then with just one practice behind you, they tell you to committee, census taker and entrepreneur. As he follow an Italian prop around the field and "just do wrote down your info (so he could get you on the what he does." Muddy, still in your cleats, you go to a mailing list) he would simultaneously reach down, grab bar and see an even more bizarre sight – the rugby a pair of green and gold striped rugby socks and tell you party. You are amazed to see grown men (and some what great deals he had out in his van. Sometimes in women) raising their voices in song, acting out lyrics, the circle and sometimes watching from his vantage twirling around, chanting, and even enjoying a point a few feet away, Marshall revelled in the sentimental ballad. camaraderie. He always had an eye on what was being sung, and when a favorite of his came up, he stepped Last Spring season was Blackthorn’s 81st. Forty years, forward and joined in. eighty plus seasons of playing rugby and singing the John Galante song? Simply amazing. While playing the Nevin Wood game at the highest possible level has always been the primary goal of the club, Blackthorn’s identity derives Imagine if you will that Einstein had never discovered from activity off the pitch as well as on the pitch. physics or Robin Williams had never found comedy. From the first post-match party in 1971 at Marshall How limited might their lives have been? And how Sturm’s home on Bonnet Lane in Hatboro, Blackthorn deprived might so many others have been? Similarly, it has sung. is impossible to imagine Nevin Wood’s life without rugby in it, or to imagine Blackthorn singing without Over the years, many voices have come together under Nevin’s influence. He played a major role in creating the Blackthorn banner, but this book is dedicated to the first songbook and supported singing efforts two men who built Blackthorn into the club that it was throughout his life. and is: Marshall K. Sturm and Nevin Wood. They shared several redeeming traits. They both lived for As you approached the singing circle, you noticed Nevin the sport. No job was too small. You could see them in the midst of song and action. As much as Nevin carrying equipment to the "pitch," raising goal posts, loved Rugby, he loved to sing. He would sing anytime, lining the field, organizing a trip, coaching, acting as a anywhere. After most singers had long gone home, club officer or just being a friend. This last attribute Nevin would still be there with the hardcore, singing was their best. into the night. Marshall K. Sturm Marshall Sturm founded and nurtured the club. He They were both people who truly cared for their friends recognized the role played by singing in forging a group and family. Likewise, they continually gave everything of athletes into the timeless brotherhood that is a they had for Blackthorn RFC. They both viewed singing complete rugby club, a notion sadly lost among many at the party after the game, as a part of the game. today. Having such wisdom and acting on it made When they both passed on, we lost their leadership, Marshall a valued club member; however, his ability to humor, stories, friendship, and especially their voice! pass this awareness and appreciation on to generations of rugby players truly sets him apart. December 2011 2 | P a g e GOLD MINE IN THE SKY In memory of Marshall K. Sturm. There's a Gold mine in the sky, far a-way We will find it, you and I, some sweet day There'll be clover just for you, down the line Where the skies are always blue, pal of mine. Take your time, old mule; I know you're growin' lame But you'll pasture in the stars, when we strike that claim And we'll sit up there and watch the world roll by When we find that long lost gold mine in the sky. Far away, far away We will find that long lost gold mine some sweet day And we'll say hello to friends who said goodbye When we find that long lost gold mine in the sky. 3 | P a g e TEDDY BEAR’S PICNIC In memory of Nevin Wood. If you go out in the woods today At six o'clock their mommies and daddies You're sure of a big surprise. Will take them home to bed If you go out in the woods today Because they're tired little teddy bears. You'd better go in disguise. If you go out in the woods today, For every bear that ever there was You'd better not go alone. Will gather there for certain, because It's lovely out in the woods today, Today's the day the teddy bears have their But safer to stay at home. picnic. For every bear that ever there was Chorus: Will gather there for certain, because Picnic time for teddy bears, Today's the day the teddy bears have their The little teddy bears are having a lovely time picnic today. Watch them, catch them unawares, Every teddy bear, that's been good And see them picnic on their holiday. Is sure of a treat today See them gaily dance about. There's lots of wonderful things to eat They love to play and shout. And wonderful games to play. And never have any cares. 4 | P a g e ORIGINAL INTRODUCTION coarse ruggers who after all, makeup the backbone of good parties.