Twas the night before Grand Final and all through the land
People were getting nervous except for Tigers fans.
The cheerleaders had practiced all year for this day
In hopes that the premiership in their hands would stay
The players were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of tries danced in their heads.
And Benji in his boxers and Madge in his cap,
Had just settled their brains for a much needed nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen night
Gave the lustre of mid-day to the cheerleaders flight
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
The Coach had the cheerleaders still practicing here.
With a team of young ladies so lively and quick,
Tumbling and jumping that looked really slick
More rapid than eagles their girls they came,
The coach whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Charlotte! now, Holly! now, Shana and Erin!
On, Lisa! On, Jade, on Lucy, On Georgia, and Merrin!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the cheerleaders flew,
With the sack full of poms, and their Coach too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little foot.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney Coach and the cheer squad came with a bound.
They were dressed all in orange from their head to their foot,
And their clothes were all sparkly with white shiny boots.
A bundle of cheer spirit they had flung on their back,
And they looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
They spoke not a word, but went straight to their work,
And filled all the cheer bags, then turned with a jerk.
And laying their fingers aside of their nose,
And giving a little nod, up the chimney they rose!
They sprang to their coach, to her team she gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard her exclaim, ‘ere she drove out of sight,
"Happy Competition to all, and to all a good-night!"