Vitai Lampada - Lord's Cricket Ground, St John's Wood Road, London, UK
N 51° 31.806 W 000° 10.160
30U E 696336 N 5712575
At the most eastern corner of the Lord's Cricket Ground, is a relief carving that carries the name of the ground. Between the heads of the figures are the words:"Play up! play up! and play the game!"
Waymark Code: WMEJNE
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 06/05/2012
Views: 4
The poem, "Vitai Lampada", was written
by Sir Henry Newbolt who lived from 1862 to 1938. The poem is about a game
of cricket and the British Empire at its finest... and fairest. The whole poem
is quoted here (visit
link for source) as it makes more sense in its full context:
"Vitai Lampada
('They Pass On The Torch of Life')
There's a breathless hush in the Close
to-night --
Ten to make and the match to win --
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
An hour to play and the last man in.
And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote --
'Play up! play up! and play the game!'
The sand of the desert is sodden red, --
Red with the wreck of a square that broke; --
The Gatling's jammed and the Colonel dead,
And the regiment blind with dust and smoke.
The river of death has brimmed his banks,
And England's far, and Honour a name,
But the voice of a schoolboy rallies the ranks:
'Play up! play up! and play the game!'
This is the word that year by year,
While in her place the School is set,
Every one of her sons must hear,
And none that hears it dare forget.
This they all with a joyful mind
Bear through life like a torch in flame,
And falling fling to the host behind --
'Play up! play up! and play the game!'"