Now something for the poetry lovers out there...
Years after the golden days of Athletics field lacrosse had past, a benefit oldtimers game was played in St. Catharines to raise money for the family of the late Billy Fitzgerald Sr (one of the greatest of his day). The memories rekindled by seeing these old greats take to the field once again led to this poetic outburst.
RECALLING THE OLD CORNER LOT
By An Old Fan: THE ST. CATHARINES STANDARD
SEPTEMBER 1926
The Old Corner Lot
To the sports field I wandered last Saturday
For I saw by the papers the Old Boys were to play
A benefit lacrosse game for Billy Fitzgerald
A player whose fame has spread round the world
A boy who was known for his sportsmanship fair
To honor his memory a large crowd gathered there
Oh, how it took one back to the long, long ago
To see the Old Timers (who were not a bit slow)
When St. Kitts had a real team and enthusiasm was hot
Oh bring back the games of the old corner lot
There was Geo. Kalls, Pete Barnett and old Freddy Stagg
Over whose playing the whole town used to brag
Tony Dixon, Bill Hope and old Tod Downey
The way they handled the ball was a treat for to see
Jimmy Sullivan, as usual, was out there to win
So he kept feeding the ball to "young" Harry Flynn
Corby Richards was just the same old speedy boy
And George Parke's rushes brought forth howls of joy
How to handle the stick they have never forgot
Oh bring back the games of the old corner lot
Charlie Querrie was playing a whale of a game
Though the bald spot on top he don't look quite the same
Neil Felker, Lawson Whitehead and Fred Rowntree
Were just as lively and active as they used to be
Art Warwick, Eddie Longfellow and Silver Spellon
Can run just as fast though their stomachs are swelling
Teddy Brown stopped everything in front of the net
Though Longfellow tried hard a goal for to get
To help out the benefit they were right on the dot
Oh bring back the games of the old corner lot
Time brings many changes as the years roll by
As I wandered back homeward I thought with a sigh
How the old game flourished in the days that have fled
But for the Old Timers one thing can be said
It was a great thing to come and play the old game
In memory of one who would have gladly done the same
To help out a comrade that has passed on before
Who was a square shooter and had a clean score
So here's to the Old Timers, our goodwill they've got
For the thrills that they gave us on the old corner lot.
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