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Base-ball Ballads

by Grantland Rice

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Play Ball

“Play ball”—across the field of green
  The signal sounds the game again;
Once more there reels across the scene
  The shout and wild acclaim again;
The game is on, the fight begun,
  Across the line of battle’s span
Until the final score is spun
  With every record of the clan.

“Play ball”—the reveille has rolled
  The bugle call to play again;
Once more beneath the banner’s fold
  They troop across the way again;
The game is on, and in the fray
  The tumult and the cheering sweep
Across the battle line of play
  Until the twilight shadows creep.

“Play ball”—the slogan of the game
  Of life, of war, of love or hate;
For rank or wealth, for name or fame
  The player stands against the plate;
The game is on, and in the strife
  Where Fate, the pitcher, speeds the ball
The player plays the game of life
  Until the final shadows fall.

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