Chorus: 
  "On the ball, on the ball, on the ball!"
   Through scrum and three-quarters and all,
   In all kinds of weather we keep on the leather
   And shout as we go "On the ball!"

1. Well some talk of soccer and some talk of league,
   Some long for the huntsman's loud call,
   But where can be found such a magical sound
   As that old rugby cry "On the ball!"

Chorus: 

2. Remember my lads, as we journey through life,
   There's a goal to be reached by us all,
   By sticking together, we keep on the leather
   And shout as we go "On the ball!"

Chorus:

    And shout as we go "On the ball!"

Some talk of cricket and some of lacrosse
Some long for the huntsman's loud call
But where can be found
Such a musical sound
As the old rugby cry "On The Ball!"	

Chorus:
"On the ball, on the ball, on the ball!"
Through scrummage, three quarters and all	
By sticking together 
We keep on the leather	
And shout as we go  "On The Ball!"	

On a cold wintry day when the ball is away
Let sluggards at home then remain
We'll kick and we'll follow
We'll run pass and collar
As we shout the same merry refrain	

But although brought down
There remains still a chance
To pass if we play the right game
And the poor weary soul
May at last win that goal
Which is every true footballer's aim	

This life's but a scrummage we cannot get through
But with many a kick and a blow
And then in the end
Though we dodge and we fend
Still that sure collar Death takes us low

Remember then boys as we journey through life
There's a goal to be reached bye and bye
And he who runs true
Why he's bound to get through
And perhaps kick a goal from his try

Chorus:
On the ball, on the ball, on the ball,
Through scrummage, three quarters and all,
By sticking together we keep on the leather
And shout as we go on the ball

Well some talk of soccer
And some talk of league,
Some mickle (?) the huntsman's lap (?)call,
But fighting together, we keep on the leather
And shout as we go on the ball

Chorus

Remember my lads, as we journey through life,
There's a goal to be reached by us all,
By fighting together, we keep on the leather
And shout as we go on the ball

Chorus

And shout as we go on the ball.

Although born in London, England, E W Secker was a pupil and Ist XV player at Palmerston North Boys' High School, NZ, the first of three Secker generations to attend this celebrated rugby school.

He became an accountant in Palmerston North and in 1887 was captain of the Manawatu representive rugby team, which that year had so far failed to score a single point in seven inter-provincial matches.

Here is the team in this old newpaper report.

Manawatu at Palmerston North 15th Sept 1888; (against Wellington)

Luxford, AL Parr, F Smith, J Jackson, JJ Henry, C Hume, RH Whisker, R Oliphant, EW Secker, GH Saywell, GE Manning, C Hodgens, A Hanna, W Moffatt, FW Jackson.

But early in October, at the end of a cheerless season, while travelling on the train north to play a return match against Wanganui, Secker got his team to try out this song. They still lost to Wanganui again (2-0), but his song did become a winner. It was published by Beggs, and sung by the 1888-89 New Zealand Native team in their after-match concerts.

About that 2-0 score; Wanganui scored two tries, and got one point for each. With today's scoring system, Wanganui would have won 10-0.

The 1905 Original All-Blacks, shown here, each received an autographed copy of On the Ball and took the song on tour with them too.

A century later, it is still a favourite with teams at after-match functions the world over.

We'll All Go A Hunting Today

On the Ball was derived from this sporting song, which was popular in the 1880s.

What a fine hunting day, it's as balmy as May,
When the hounds to our village did come.
Every friend will be there, and all troubles and care
Will be left far behind them at home.

See servants and steeds on their way
And sportsmen in scarlet display.
Let us join the glad throng that goes laughing along
And we'll all go a-hunting today

[Chorus]
So we'll all go a-hunting today
All nature looks smiling and gay
Let us join the glad throng
That goes laughing along
And we'll all go a-hunting today

We'll All Go A Hunting Today was composed for the North Warwickshire Hunt in England by one W. Wilson. MORE VERSES AND DETAILS.

Other Rugby Songs