Sussex by the Sea

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Sussex by the Sea is a song written in 1907 by William Ward-Higgs. It became popular during the First World War, having already been adopted by the Royal Sussex Regiment as an unofficial "nick" march. It may well have come from a poem written by Rudyard Kipling in 1902 entitled Sussex, the final stanza of which is:

God gives all men all earth to love,

But since man's heart is small,

Ordains for each one spot shall prove

Beloved over all.

Each to his choice, and I rejoice

The lot has fall to me

In a fair ground^[1] - in a fair ground -

Yea, Sussex by the Sea!

It became well known throughout Sussex and is regarded as a county anthem. It is regularly sung at celebrations throughout Sussex and can be heard during the Lewes bonfire celebrations and is played by marching bands and even Morris dancers throughout the county.

1 Organisations
2 Notes
3 See also
4 External links

Organisations

Sussex County Cricket Club

In 1957, Joe Haddon wrote a two verse version dedicated to Sussex cricket.

Now is the time for playing

Now let your hearts be gay

List what your captain is saying

While off the field of play

So put your best leg forward, my lads

And time each ball you see

If you sing the old song

Well you can’t go wrong

Of Sussex By The Sea

Chorus:

Good Old Sussex by the Sea, Good Old Sussex By the Sea

You can tell them all that we stand or fall

For Sussex by the Sea.

Good Old Sussex By the Sea

Their cricket is a pleasure to see

They will give you a show

For they don’t play slow

And useful men are they

So when you go to Sussex

Six Martlets men to see

They will delight you all

With the bat and the ball

In the County Ground by the Sea.

Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. & Sussex County Cricket Club

The song has also become attached to Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. and Sussex County Cricket Club. It is the clubs' official song, but with a changed chorus.

Good old Sussex by the sea, Good old Sussex by the sea

And we're going up to win the cup

For Sussex by the sea.

Christ's Hospital

Christ's Hospital uses the tune as its school march.

A simplified version is mainly used- Good old Sussex by the sea Good old Sussex by the sea And we're going up To win the cup For Sussex, by the sea.. (repeat)