Paul Kelly Writes Sonnet In Tribute To Footy

Legendary Australian musician, poet and top bloke Paul Kelly has penned an ode to footy (of the Australian Rules variety), in a moving tribute to one of the country’s great pastimes.

A known footy tragic, Kelly is routinely involved with the Melbourne Reclink Community Cup – an annual charity football game involving community radio staff and musicians. In 2012 Kelly performed hisclassic Leaps & Bounds track, which references footy mecca the MCG, at the AFL Grand Final. Read Sonnet To A New Sherrin (the Sherrin is the name of the football, for those unfamiliar) below, with great lines such as: “Be it drop punt, mongrel, torp or banana bend” and “Dull scuffs and mud against its glory fight.”

In other footy news, You Am I’s Tim Rogers has been commissioned to write a reboot of the official North Melbourne team song Join In The Chorus. A North Melbourne tragic, the song is currently being recorded and will be played at home games when the team wins.

In 2012 The Cat Empire’s Harry Angus composed the theme song for expansion club, Greater Western Sydney.

SONNET TO A NEW SHERRIN

Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore,
So does a football hasten to its end,
Each kick wearing it out a fraction more
Be it drop punt, mongrel, torp or banana bend.
A glory new and in its first sweet flight,
But every time it tumbles on the ground,
Dull scuffs and mud against its glory fight
And Time that gave, doth now his gift confound.
Time does his work by stealth and by degrees
And kick by kick unfolds his tale of woe
With rain and roads and fences, dogs and trees
And Dubbin cannot stop him, only slow.
And yet, to times, in hope, my verse shall stand,
Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.