Here are Brendan Behan's thoughts on the subject (from his play The Hostage):

I remember in September, when the final stumps were drawn,
And the shouts of crowds now silent when the boys to tea had gone.
Let us, oh Lord above us, remember simple things,
When all are dead who love us, Oh the Captains and the Kings,
When all are dead who love us, Oh the Captains and the Kings.

We have many goods for export, Christian ethics and old port
But our greatest boast is that the Anglo-Saxon is a sport
When the darts game is finished, and the boys their game of rings
And the drafts and chestful inquests of the captains and the kings
And the drafts and chestful inquests of the captains and the kings

Far away in dear old Cyprus, or in Kenya's dusty land,
Where all bear the White Man's Burden in many a strange land.
As we look across our shoulder, in West Belfast the school bell rings,
And we sigh for dear old England, and the Captains and the Kings.
And we sigh for dear old England, and the Captains and the Kings.

In our dreams we see old Harrow, and we hear the crow's load caw
At the flower show our big marrow takes the price from Evelyn Waugh
Cups of tea and some dry Sherry, vintage cars, these simple things
So let`s drink up and be marry, for the Captains and the Kings
So let`s drink up and be marry, for the Captains and the Kings

As I wandered in a nightmare all around Great Windsor Park,
Now what did you think I found there as I wandered in the dark?
It was an apple half-bitten, and sweetest of all things,
Five baby teeth had written of the Captains and the Kings.
Five baby teeth had written of the Captains and the Kings.

By the moon that shines above us in the misty morning night
Let us cease to run ourselves down and praise God that we are white
And better still are English, tea and toast and muffin rings
And old ladies with stern faces and the captains and the kings
And old ladies with stern faces and the captains and the kings.