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The Great Day

John Mulligan

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 It dawned like any other day
An early mist with showers on the way.
But there was a tension in the morning air
In homes, shops, buses, everywhere.
One thought uppermost in our mind
Would we manage home in time?

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 The morning papers gave us the news
That Auld would be in instead of Hughes.
Then the greatest exodus this town has known,
Through deserted streets the rush for home.
Until at last we are stationed round our sets,
All is organised – whisky, aspirins, cigarettes.

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 We see McNeil leading out his clan
Facing the “Mighty Inter Milan”.
Eleven young men in green and white,
Now then Celtic, history could be made tonight.
It starts. “Oh well played John, hold it Tommy,
That’s right Billy, back to Ronnie.”
The whistle goes – what can it be?
Oh for crying out loud, a penalty!
There’s gloom and despair at this decision
But bravely they accept the position.
Simpson tried hard but had no chance,
The rest just give a hitch of their pants.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 Now we who watch this game being played
Share every move and thrust that’s made.
“Oh, there it is!” No, it hit the post.
Hard luck Bertie, that was close.
And so to half-time and a breathing space,
One goal down, but no disgrace.
We’re off again with Celtic pressing all the time.
“Was that ball from Johnstone over the line?”

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 Oh, c’mon Celtic, you can do it yet.
(“Give us another cigarette.”)
And so the pressure mounts even more,
Surely, surely they must score?
But wait, what’s this? Jim Craig moving up the right,
He sees that Inter are playing it tight.
He sees Gemmell moving through
Ok Tommy, it’s over to you.
Then he pounced and with complete control
He banged that ball on its way to goal.
Was there ever such a joyous din?
The earth erupts, the roof falls in.
A roar goes up from a million throats
From Lands’ End to John O’Groats.
“Oh Tam, oh Tam, ye’ll get yer farin’
And weel rewarded for yer darin.”

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 Now we begin to realise
This cup could land at Paradise.
Ok, Jinky let’s go, lets go and have some fun.
Inter by now are on the run.
And then it happened, so smooth and quick,
A Murdoch drive – a Chalmers flick.
Once more the saints are praised, the heavens are blessed,
Babies, wives, mothers-in law are kissed!

7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 Through tears of joy, I see it yet,
Lying so peacefully in the net.
The watches are out, just minutes to go,
Boy oh Bhoy has this been a show!
Came the final whistle, the final scene.
(Get that sideboard ready, Mr Stein).
The sun sinks slowly in the west
And weary bodies lie down to rest.
And if that night some men are smiling in their dreams
They are living again the Lisbon scenes,
And going over this great, great day,
1967, Thursday the 25th May.

8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 John Mulligan

© Maggie Mulligan 22/10/2010

Notes

This poem was written in 1967 by my late dad. It was printed in the Celtic View at the time and also in 2007, to celebrate 40 years since Celtic lifted the European trophy.
Maggie Mulligan

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/the-great-day/