(A Ballad of the Republic. Sung in the Year 1888).
The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day;
The score stood four to two with but one inning more to play.
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game.
A straggling few got up to go in deep despair.
The rest Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought if only Casey could but get a whack at that --
We'd put up even money now with Casey at the bat.
But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake.
And the former was a lulu and the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat.
For there seemed but little chance of Casey's getting to the bat.
But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and the men saw what had occurred,
There was Johnnie safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.
Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.
There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place,
There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile on Casey's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.
Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance gleamed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.
And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped --
"That ain't my style," said Casey.
"Strike one," the umpire said.
From the benches, bleak with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm waves on a worn and distant shore.
"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted someone in the stands,
And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.
With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher and once more the spheroid flew;
But Casey still ignored it and the umpire said, "Strike two."
"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and the echo answered fraud;
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.
The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clinched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball and now he lets it go,
now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.
Oh! somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville -- mighty Casey has struck out.
WOEF!!! WOEF!!!
Jake and Just Harry, consoling our hoomans (and our pals in Master Chew Sits) as best we can.
Hogmanay music #3.
2 hours ago
16 comments:
Pssssst!
Mom and I welkhome your help with the other RED team!
Sorry fur your losses -
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
My Grand-dad is a great memorizer of poetry. This one and Jabberwock are his favorites. Like I said to A&A..Last night we had home-made ravioli. Tonight we are eating ashes.
gussie
There is no joy here in Babablama either. Both our Red Sox and our Red Birds got swept.
Beckett
I am sorry for your loss. Things will be better in the future.
Sally Ann
Poor Casey... Immortalized for striking out. Oh, wait. That wasn't your point, was it? Sorry... Not much of a baseball fan.... But I'm sorry for your losses - but there is always next year!
*kissey face*
-Fiona
I am so sorry for your teams.
Please give kisses and hugs to your hoomans from us, ok?
Lorenza
Momma is kind of glad the Red Sox lost because now we don't have to watch baseball for a while. Personally I kind of like watching it.
Slobbers,
Mango
Yes, but just think how happy your friends in New York are this morning!
Your pal,
Petey in his pinstripes
Petey's comment made us laugh!!! You know we know nothing about baseball but we are sorry you are sorry!!!
Is there a tune to that poem?
Somehow we felt we should have sung along!
love
Martha & Bailey xxx
The poor Red Sox, what a mess! The humans here hail from MA from years back and are very sad too.
That's what next year is for, right?
woos, the OP Pack
Not to worry maties, there's always next year. Chin up and all that!!!
Noah xx
Dad is bummed that his Sox lost!
Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch
I've heard it's not always easy being a Red Sox fan, but well worth it in the end. We like them, too.
Happy Tails,
William Tell
Isn't it something to realize that when this poem was first published, it was considered to be "doggeral". Of poor literary value. Fit only for the dogs. (What a HUGE insult. To the poem. To the poet. And to us dogs.) Well over a hundred years later, the same degree of emotion simmers in baseball fans (and not-particular-fans, alike) anticipating the outcome, and then having to deal with it, as we listen to or read through the poem or watch the actual game.
Nice post, Jake and JH. We liked it. So did our very casual fan Moma
Jake and Fergs
Welllllll to tell you the truth, we are glad they lost because we had a feeling they were going to any way and better sooner than later( more painfull) Well now we have to focus on FOOTBALL!!!!(which we are also not doing so well in!!!) Love and kisses A+A
Oh dear boyz...we feel ur pain...actually we adore that poem...poor Casey...good name for a wiry fox huh???
Um...we could talk about the Pirates, but you'd probably just say...WHO?
We could talk about the fact we're supposed to get snow tonight, but you'd probably say WHAT?
SO...we'll just hafta root for the Phillies cuz they are in our state and the Pirates/Phillies rivalry is L O N G gone...
But forget bout us rootin' for the Flyers or the Eagles...nope...not happenin'...
Kisses!!
Laciegirlie
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