American Old Time Song Lyrics: 23 The Day I First Played Ball
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 23
THE DAY I FIRST PLAYED BALL.
Tune- 'The Day I Played Base Ball."
By John E. Shea.
My name it is O'Gallagher,
I'm a ball player by trade;
I play now with a crack team,- boys,
And a large salary I'm paid.
I rank among the best of men.
And deserve the praise of all;
But I tell you what, it was no fun,
The day I first played ball.
Oh, first I tried the catcher's mask,
Sure I thought myself in a powder flask,
And they struck me with a cobbler's last,
The day I first played ball.
Then next I tried a "home run "bat.
And hit the ball such a terrible smack,
That it knocked a horse-car off the track,
The day I first played ball.
They put me behind the plate.
And said it I caught a ball they'd treat;
But I showed them I couldn't be beat,
The day I first played ball.
So then I tried to steal a base.
Sure I fell down and broke my face;
Oh, it was worse than a six-days race,
The day I first played ball.
Sure then I tried to throw a "fly,"
And it struck the manager in the eye;
And they all jumped over the fence to die.
The day I first played ball.
The people then took off their hats,
And the kids they all did holler "rats;"
And they gave me all the broken bats,
The day I first played ball.
The ladies all appeared so gay.
And presented me with a fine bouquet;
And said I'd be worth 10,000 some day,
If I'd learn to play base ball.
Then I met a gang-one's name was Luke,
He said, "old man, go take a fluke;"
I turned and hit him a rap in the snute.
The day I first played ball.
The gang then gave me a bottle of rye,
And said, "old man, you've got to die;"
And they hung me on the gallows high.
The day I first played ball.