Football Poets

The World Cup

¶ 1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 In 1930 the World Cup was born
And its birth pangs sang its joy
Jules Rimet the guardian and maker
The victors Uruguay

¶ 2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 The strength of Meazza and Monti shone free
1934 in the glory that was Rome
Zamora and Langara jewels for Spain
But it was the squadra azzurra who took the cup home

¶ 3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 1938 and the playing fields of France
Before truth and justice began to die
Italy the victors Mussolini smiled
But it was Leonidas who caught the world’s eye

¶ 4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 1950 broke the heart of all Brazil
Whilst the English in their debut fell to ground
Chico and Zizinho flew from heaven for Brazil
But Ghiggia with his boots shot them down

¶ 5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 1954 and the miracle of Puskas
The Major his Magyars the kings
But the Germans just ripped up the script
And galloped away with the win

¶ 6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 1958 Didi magician with Pele and Vava
Against Kopa and Fonataine they shone
Without one defeat the world at their feet
Brazil brought the spirit of football home

¶ 7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 1962 Decca turned down The Beatles
Guitar groups are on their way out
Elvis retired but then changed his mind and
The Boys from Brazil kept their crown

¶ 8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 1966 Charlton and Beckenbauer duel
A disputed goal a hat trick for Hurst
Eusebio shone his boots of fire
Then England’s victory the glorious first

¶ 9 Leave a comment on verse 9 0 1970 burst in colour onto the screen
As football glimpsed its very soul
Brazil served up a football dream
The Carlos Alberto screaming goal

¶ 10 Leave a comment on verse 10 0 1974 the reincarnation of Van Gogh
His swirling colours on a canvas of grass
Cruyff and Neeskens and Krol picked up the brush
But Beckenbauer and Muller made them put it back

¶ 11 Leave a comment on verse 11 0 1978 and the legend Mario Kempes
His boots ringing with those goals
Tore right through defences
And broke the beautiful Dutch soul

¶ 12 Leave a comment on verse 12 0 1982 Rossi would find forgiveness
And bring his country joy
In the final fired his cannons
And German defences all destroyed

¶ 13 Leave a comment on verse 13 0 1986 and Maradona
Scored a goal with his left hand
But the second such a miracle
God cheered from Heaven’s Stands

¶ 14 Leave a comment on verse 14 0 1990 Germany defends
And Klinsmann takes the prize
Maradona’s boots still conjour tricks
Crocodile tears fall from his eyes

¶ 15 Leave a comment on verse 15 0 1994 Romario smiles but
It’s deep despair for Baggio
Brazil gained its fourth World cup
By selling the beauty of its soul

¶ 16 Leave a comment on verse 16 0 1998 and Les Bleus
Multi-racial colours blend
Zinedine Zidane commanding
Are you watching Le Pen?

¶ 17 Leave a comment on verse 17 0 2002 and Brazil burns back
Ronaldo finds his golden boots
France are slain by Senegal
The swordsman? El Hadj Diouf.