Page:Base-ball ballads (IA baseballballads00rice).pdf/34

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ON THE ROAD TO ROOTERS' ROW.
(Letting Mr. Kipling in, of course, on a bit of the graft.)

I.
In each deserted ball park from New York to Tennessee
There's the whisper of an echo wafted forth to you and me;
For the wind calls through the pine trees and the maples, soft and low:
"Come ye back, ye wild Fanatic—come ye back to Rooters' Row."

   On the road to Rooters' Row,
   In the sunlight's golden glow,
    Can't you hear those mad Bugs whooping
   As the pitcher fans a foe?
   On the road to Rooters' Row,
   Where the sad fans wail in woe—
    Then a cheer comes up like thunder
   When the shortstop lays him low.

II.
When the peanut husks are falling and the "pop" is flowing free,
Where they pound you on the backbone in a massive fit of glee,
Where the "Hit 'er out, you sucker!" greets the batsman true and tried;
Then a boding hush of terror, then a "Slide, you bonehead, slide!"

   On the road to Rooters' Row, etc.

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