• https://www.dead.net/features/news/take-me-out-garcia-night
    Take Me Out To Garcia Night...

    As most of us know, August 9th the San Francisco Giants are paying tribute to Jerry by hosting GARCIA NIGHT AT AT&T PARK. By all estimates, this is going to be a night to remember, a true celebration of community, music, memories and, of course, baseball. One sure highlight will be a Seventh Inning Stretch like no other presented by The Rhythm Devils. Mickey and Bill will conduct some 9,000 kazoo playing fans in a very untraditional performance of the very traditional "Take Me Out To The Ballgame."

    Dead.net is pleased to offer a special Jerry Night warm-up. Check out Mickey's own history of this classic baseball tune ---

    FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

    “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” is a beautiful love story where baseball decides the fate of a young couple.

    The most popular baseball song in history, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was originally written as a 1908 love story. The words written by a Tin Pan Alley composer named Jack Norworth, the music by Albert von Tilzer who while riding a subway train, was inspired by a sign that said "Baseball Today — Polo Grounds." In the song, Katie's beau calls to ask her out to see a show. She accepts, but only if her date will take her out to the ballgame. Von Tilzer and Norworth finally saw their first Major League Baseball game 32 and 20 years later, respectively. It was played at a ballpark for the first known time in 1934, at a high-school game in Los Angeles, and researchers think it made its debut at a major-league park later that year.

    Most people are probably only familiar with the song’s chorus which has since become popular during the 7th Inning Stretch. However, there are verses at the beginning of the song that instills a sense of camaraderie and connects people together for the love of the game and in vocal harmony. The song transcends team rivalry.

    The earliest known recordings (see following web links) of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" come from a 1908 Edison tin cylinder. (Version #1) and two 78 rpm discs (ver#2 and #3) just discovered at the Library of Congress' "Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation." Versions #2 and #3 can now be heard in the newly restored copies.

    Click here to listen to Version 1

    Click here to listen to Version 2

    Click here to listen to Version 3

    1908 Version

    Katie Casey was baseball mad,
    
Had the fever and had it bad.
    
Just to root for the home town crew,
    
Ev'ry cent Katie blew.

    On a Saturday her 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:"

    [Chorus] Take me out to the ball game,
    Take me out with the crowd
    Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks
    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:

    [Chorus] Take me out to the ball game,
    Take me out with the crowd
    Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks
    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.

    Click on the images below to view larger images.

         

    Keep tuned to Mickey's website for updates and more information.

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  • Snark
    13 years 7 months ago
    Version 1 lyrics
    If you listen closely to Version 1, the last line of the first stanza is clearly heard to be: "Ev'ry sioux Katie blew." ("sioux" being a nickname for an indian head penny, which was the design in 1908--the first Lincoln head cents were issued in 1909, one year after this recording was made).
  • Hal R
    13 years 7 months ago
    thanks for the background Mickey
    Katie Casey is as fanatic about her team as we are about our band If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake
  • Pax
    13 years 7 months ago
    Jerry & the Giants Last Night
    Had a great time at the game. Big Bill delivered a very touching, heart-felt opening speech. The kazoo deal was goofy as hell and a lot of fun; bobble heads too. Really cool vibe sitting in the Jerry section before the game. Unfortunately, not all dead heads are baseball fans. Some had a hard time paying attention to the game or even remembering the game was going on. Still, a very mellow group. And, of course, loved the music. Star Spangled Banner was purely done by Phil, Bob & Jeff Pehrson
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As most of us know, August 9th the San Francisco Giants are paying tribute to Jerry by hosting GARCIA NIGHT AT AT&T PARK. By all estimates, this is going to be a night to remember, a true celebration of community, music, memories and, of course, baseball. One sure highlight will be a Seventh Inning Stretch like no other presented by The Rhythm Devils. Mickey and Bill will conduct some 9,000 kazoo playing fans in a very untraditional performance of the very traditional "Take Me Out To The Ballgame."

Dead.net is pleased to offer a special Jerry Night warm-up. Check out Mickey's own history of this classic baseball tune ---

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

“Take Me Out to the Ballgame” is a beautiful love story where baseball decides the fate of a young couple.

The most popular baseball song in history, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was originally written as a 1908 love story. The words written by a Tin Pan Alley composer named Jack Norworth, the music by Albert von Tilzer who while riding a subway train, was inspired by a sign that said "Baseball Today — Polo Grounds." In the song, Katie's beau calls to ask her out to see a show. She accepts, but only if her date will take her out to the ballgame. Von Tilzer and Norworth finally saw their first Major League Baseball game 32 and 20 years later, respectively. It was played at a ballpark for the first known time in 1934, at a high-school game in Los Angeles, and researchers think it made its debut at a major-league park later that year.

Most people are probably only familiar with the song’s chorus which has since become popular during the 7th Inning Stretch. However, there are verses at the beginning of the song that instills a sense of camaraderie and connects people together for the love of the game and in vocal harmony. The song transcends team rivalry.

The earliest known recordings (see following web links) of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" come from a 1908 Edison tin cylinder. (Version #1) and two 78 rpm discs (ver#2 and #3) just discovered at the Library of Congress' "Packard Campus for Audio-Visual Conservation." Versions #2 and #3 can now be heard in the newly restored copies.

Click here to listen to Version 1

Click here to listen to Version 2

Click here to listen to Version 3

1908 Version

Katie Casey was baseball mad,

Had the fever and had it bad.

Just to root for the home town crew,

Ev'ry cent Katie blew.

On a Saturday her 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:"

[Chorus] Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks
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:

[Chorus] Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks
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.

Click on the images below to view larger images.

     

Keep tuned to Mickey's website for updates and more information.

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At the San Francisco Giants' August 9th game against the Chicago Cubs, the Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann will lead fans in a special 7th Inning Stretch celebration. In an attempt to set an official Guinness World Record for the world’s largest kazoo ensemble, Hart and Kreutzmann will lead more than 8,500 kazoo playing fans in "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."
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This is going to be such a blast! I'll be there in spirit and wish everybody who is lucky enough to be there a super time and sweet remembrance during this particular night between. ( & ) ; ~ {}
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15 years 2 months
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Thanks for the history lesson Mickey! "The dire wolf collects his due while the boys sing round the fire"
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16 years 9 months
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I wonder if we're supposed to bring our own kazoos or if they're being supplied. I'm not sure I own one...
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16 years 3 months
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Sounds like a vending opportunity to me. Wish I was gonna be there. Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.
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strikes me again...can you get the Yankee's in on this? Jerry loved NYC, can we get him a shout out? Who knows if so but here's to wishing, xo. Ok I will be thinking of everyone there and sending lots and lots of love your way! Have a terriffic time at the 'Ol Ball Game! I'll be root, root, rooting for the home team but my heart and soul will be San Francisco, xo. From New York to San Fran... the chain will be unbroken. 9,000 Internet Roses are sent your way, one for each and everyone of yas. --------------------------------------(-------@ Katie Casey knew what to do Just to cheer up the boys she knew She made the gang sing this song: Come on, kazoo with me... [Chorus] Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks 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. We have the ways and means, to make a game, win or lose...steal your face, right off your head. Have a blast! >>>>>>>>> In love and light always, SherBear
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16 years 9 months
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Isn't the 2nd Version the one used in Ken Burns "Baseball?" Thanks Mickey!!!
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13 years 7 months
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Deadheads going to the game tonight might want to look at the bricks embedded in Willy Mays Plaza for the one with this inscription: Wildflower seed on sand and stone May the four winds blow you safely home. --Garcia and Hunter I am a Giants Charter seat licensee and got a chance to put this brick there when the ballpark opened.
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If I find it I'll try to take a pic. I'm planning to get there a little early, but various realities may intervene.
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13 years 7 months
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Is anyone going to record the game this evening? I live on the East Coast and will not be attending, but would love to see or hear the tributes!
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& Jerry the Good Ole Grateful Dead music playedduring the game...it was wonderful! ---------------------------(--------@ The song was Touch of Grey. 50,000 there at the ballpark heard... We will get by, we will survive>>>> Every silver linings got a touch of grey>>> ahhh coast to coast we remember our Beloved Mr. Jerome John Garica. --------------------------------(---------@ Thanks for all the years Jerry, xoxo. Love To You All~~~ Sherry B
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Had a great time at the game. Big Bill delivered a very touching, heart-felt opening speech. The kazoo deal was goofy as hell and a lot of fun; bobble heads too. Really cool vibe sitting in the Jerry section before the game. Unfortunately, not all dead heads are baseball fans. Some had a hard time paying attention to the game or even remembering the game was going on. Still, a very mellow group. And, of course, loved the music. Star Spangled Banner was purely done by Phil, Bob & Jeff Pehrson
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Katie Casey is as fanatic about her team as we are about our band If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake
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16 years 3 months
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If you listen closely to Version 1, the last line of the first stanza is clearly heard to be: "Ev'ry sioux Katie blew." ("sioux" being a nickname for an indian head penny, which was the design in 1908--the first Lincoln head cents were issued in 1909, one year after this recording was made).