- Sussex by the Sea
Sussex by the Sea is a
song written in 1907 byWilliam Ward-Higgs . It became popular during theFirst World War , having already been adopted by theRoyal Sussex Regiment as an unofficial "nick" march. It may well have come from a poem written byRudyard Kipling in 1902 entitled "Sussex", the finalstanza of which is::God gives all men all earth to love,:But since man's heart is small,:Ordains for each one spot shall prove:Beloved over all.:Each to his choice, and I rejoice:The lot has fall to me:In a fair ground [This phrase is taken from Psalm 16.1 in theCoverdale Bible - "The lot is fallen unto me in a fair ground : yea, I have a goodly heritage." [http://www.bible-researcher.com/prayerbook1.html#16] ] - in a fair ground -:Yea, Sussex by the Sea!It became well known throughout
Sussex and is regarded as acounty anthem . It is regularly sung at celebrations throughout Sussex and can be heard during theLewes bonfire celebrations and is played by marching bands and even Morris dancers throughout the county.Organisations
ussex County Cricket Club
In 1957, Joe Haddon wrote a two verse version dedicated to Sussex
cricket .:Now is the time for playing:Now let your hearts be gay:List what your captain is saying:While off the field of play:So put your best leg forward, my lads:And time each ball you see:If you sing the old song:Well you can’t go wrong:Of Sussex By The Sea
Chorus::Good Old Sussex by the Sea, Good Old Sussex By the Sea:You can tell them all that we stand or fall :For Sussex by the Sea.
:Good Old Sussex By the Sea:Their cricket is a pleasure to see:They will give you a show:For they don’t play slow:And useful men are they:So when you go to Sussex:Six Martlets men to see:They will delight you all:With the bat and the ball:In the County Ground by the Sea.
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. & Sussex County Cricket Club
The song has also become attached to
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. andSussex County Cricket Club . It is the clubs' official song, but with a changed chorus.:Good old Sussex by the sea, Good old Sussex by the sea:And we're going up to win the cup:For Sussex by the sea.
Christ's Hospital
Christ's Hospital uses the tune as its school march.A simplified version is mainly used-Good old Sussex by the seaGood old Sussex by the seaAnd we're going upTo win the cupFor Sussex, by the sea..(repeat)
Notes
ee also
*
Eastbourne Redoubt Home of the Royal Sussex Regimental MuseumExternal links
* [http://www.eastbournecousins.com/sussexbythesea.htm See the full words for Sussex by the Sea ]
* [http://www.sussexcricket.co.uk/the-club/sea/#c2959 Sussex Country Cricket Club on Sussex by the Sea]
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