EFA
Song of Pelota
Many of the handball games in Europe are considered as part of the culture of their country. In a previous Yearbook we published the Song of Fives from the English game and Ritchie Kavanagh, the folk singer recorded 'The Handball Song' a few years ago. In this tradition the Basques commission a poem for their Tournaments and for the World Pelota Games in San Francisco this year the following was composed (it rhymes better in Basque)
In 2007 we live happily here in America
Handball with its common bond
Has unified our seven provinces
Basques you are the first
To spread our game of handball
Our people dispersed throughout the world,
Realise how much we owe you
In Mexico and United States
Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile
Argentina and those absent
Handball has made us brothers
Children of the Basques have come here
Are strengthened by the game
Leaving our blood so far away
God, we are indebted to you
For this handball court around us
It gives us identity and hope
It is our hope and our church
Handball is how we find the way
To make us known throughout the world
Our identity continues to grow strong
Long may our people play it
Handball is as sacred as prayer
The court is silent as a church
What is this call from God?
It has arrived as a voice from afar
This message is for our people
Handball is part of us
Be faithful to the beloved pelota
It will help us be what we are
Song of Pelota
Created 28th January 2009 by Mike Fenn
efa@etonfives.co.uk