J2601

Folk Heroes

Mighty Casey

Casey At The Bat 

Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped -

"That ain't my style" said Casey. "Strike one" the umpire said.

He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;

But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said "Strike Two".

The sneer has fled from Casey's lips, 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 lets it go,

And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shinning bright;

The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light; And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout; But there is no joy in Mudville - mighty Casey has struck out