In 1858, the first baseball song was written, "The Base Ball Polka!" It was not quite as famous as Jack Norworth's 1909 classic, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," which was written on some scrap paper on a train ride to Manhattan. Jack Norworth was a vaudeville entertainer / songwriter and spent fifteen minutes writing this classic which is sung during the seventh inning stretch at every ball park in the country. In 1927, he changed some lyrics and a second version appeared. Baseball Almanac is proud to present both versions and an actual print of the original music.

 

Take Me Out to the Ball Game Author: Jack Norworth Published: 1908

Katie Casey was base ball mad. Had the fever and had it bad; Just to root for the home town crew, Ev'ry sou Katie blew. On a Saturday, he young beau Called to see if she'd like to go, To see a show but Miss Kate said, "No, I'll tell you what you can do." "Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack, I don't care if I never get back, Let me root, root, root for the home team, If they don't win it's a shame. For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out, At the old ball game." Katie Casey saw all the games, Knew the players by their first names; Told the umpire he was wrong, All along good and strong. When the score was just two to two, Katie Casey knew what to do, Just to cheer up the boys she knew, She made the gang sing this song: "Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack, I don't care if I never get back, Let me root, root, root for the home team, If they don't win it's a shame. For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out, At the old ball game."

Take Me Out to the Ball Game Author: Jack Norworth Published: 1927

Nelly Kelly love baseball games, Knew the players, knew all their names, You could see her there ev'ry day, Shout "Hurray," when they'd play. Her boy friend by the name of Joe Said, "To Coney Isle, dear, let's go," Then Nelly started to fret and pout, And to him I heard her shout. "Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack, I don't care if I never get back, Let me root, root, root for the home team, If they don't win it's a shame. For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out, At the old ball game." Nelly Kelly was sure some fan, She would root just like any man, Told the umpire he was wrong, All along, good and strong. When the score was just two to two, Nelly Kelly knew what to do, Just to cheer up the boys she knew, She made the game sing this song. "Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack, I don't care if I never get back, Let me root, root, root for the home team, If they don't win it's a shame. For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out, At the old ball game."