A Nation Holds its Breath Again

Big weekend, the match is here,
all saved up for a skinful of beer.
I can almost taste the atmosphere.

Kiss goodbye, head for town,
train’s so full I can’t sit down,
patriots’ fervour all around.

International Day, the place is mad
Bars, full of sons getting rounds for their dads
and good time girls who mess about with the lads!

Recalling memories of heroes and icons
Who wept at the anthem and songs about saucepans
Giants of men in stature and spirit
consume bread from heaven as if all hopes are in it.
Working class legends, and as each will attest
they’re inspired by the ‘hwyl’ only felt if you’re Welsh.

The nation prepares as if for war,
uniting with tales of the triumphs of yore
the stadium rocks as the anthem roars.

So much depends on those numbered men
Who enter the arena to represent.
To wear the badge and bear the flag
As a nation holds its breath again.

Roars for the vigour, gasps at the pace.
Huge hits and gore, as glory is chased.
Winning through effort invention and guile
and Monday’s shift goes to work with a smile

Some might say it’s just a game
But year on year we share thrills and pain
Feeling’s are high and even odds against
Hope triumphs over experience.

So much depends, so much depends
as a nation holds its breath again…

(Recorded as a song by GTFBi; click this link to hear it. (Lyric is a bit different/shorter) )