The Marlow Shanty, 2015

There's a strong wild packet, and a packet of fame;
It belongs to St Tom’s, and house Marlow’s its name;
It is bound to Christchurch West, where the stormy winds blow;
Bound away in Edmund’s values, good Christians yo ho.

At the time of the swimming sports its men surely flew;
Vanquished the other houses, Marlow’s victory true;
Vanquished through old Rahuraru, and what was held dear,
Bound away strong Marlow men, to the west'ard did steer.

Oh, athletics day where the strength of the house could try,
And the boys and men oh their feet did fly;
The school gave them three cheers while the tears did flow,
Saying, "God bless house Marlow, where'er it may go!"

Oh, but victorious at athletics Marlow was not to be,
Despite great results they finished top three,
For around that round track where the top runners go,
We were done in by McClintock, the gold was laid low.

Oh, the school did blow into Special Character Week,
Where the revelries were merry, with full hearts so to speak,
While the leaders like lions walked the ranks to and fro,
Hoane, Chris and Peter oh, the Lord watched them go!

Oh, house Marlow was a-singing with mouths opened wide,
Performed the Christ song and ditty, souls full of pride.
The lungs opened up, with Marlow’s spirit on show,
‘Twas such a racket, you should’ve seen ‘em go!

Oh, the Haka held sway, Delane’s calm before storm,
With the beaten chest’s red and where men outperform;
The faces of boys, even those in Joyce,
Could only look on and say, by God that was choice!

Oh, house Marlow, ‘twas a-bowlin' past old twenty-fifteen,
And the men wore gold proud in the yellow machine,
The brotherhood of Marlow rises up the ground,
Crying, "Long live the brotherhood and the fellowship found!"

Thomas Newton