Walter Johnson
Walter Johnson's Grace: Baseball's Gentle Hero
Lyrics
Well I'm a gonna tell you if you don't know
Introducing the topic, stating an intention to share information.
Bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum
Repetitive musical interlude, setting the rhythm.
About a great ball player from a long time ago
About an exceptional baseball player from the past.
Bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum
Continuation of the introduction of the ballplayer.
Whose a hero to me I ain't puttin' you on son.
Asserting personal admiration for the player.
Cause I'm now gonna tell a story of baseball's great Walter Johnson.
Introducing the story of Walter Johnson, a revered baseball figure.
All through baseball he was loved and respected
Describing Walter Johnson's widespread admiration and regard.
Was there bitterness in Walter Johnson?
Rhetorical question about bitterness in Johnson.
Well it was never detected.
Implying that any potential bitterness in Johnson was never noticeable.
Well now, when pitchers throw their pitch to scare
Discussing how pitchers intimidate batters.
Bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum
Repetitive musical interlude, maintaining rhythm.
They'll actually tried to almost hit that opposing player
Describing the aggressive tactic of nearly hitting a batter.
Do de do de do de do de do de do de do
Another musical interlude.
Walter Johnson wouldn't do that, not even just a little
Contrasting Johnson's approach—he didn't employ intimidating tactics.
He made sure he threw that baseball right down the middle.
He ensured fairness by pitching accurately down the middle.
And All through baseball he was loved and respected
Reiteration of Johnson's widespread admiration and respect.
Was there bitterness in Walter Johnson?
Questioning bitterness again, suggesting its undetectability.
Well it was never detected.
Emphasizing the lack of evidence or signs of bitterness in Johnson.
Now (he pitched for the Washington Senators back in about 1924) now (1906)
Referencing the era Johnson played for the Washington Senators.
Now look, when the Washington nine was a-goin to win
Describing a situation when the team was close to victory.
Bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum
Repetitive musical interlude, maintaining rhythm.
Walter would actually ease up a little on the opposition (that's right)
Johnson would ease up to let the opposition have a chance.
Bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum
Continuation of Johnson's approach to ease up when winning.
Now the other teamates they simply didn't get it,
Teammates didn't understand Johnson's approach.
They said, "Walter how come you let him hit it?"
Teammates questioned Johnson's decision to let opponents hit.
Now Walter just told them with his gentle smile
Johnson explains his philosophy with a gentle smile.
"boys, this game isn't any fun if you don't get a hit once in a while."
Expressing that the game is more enjoyable if opponents occasionally succeed.
Now all through baseball he was loved and respected
Reaffirmation of Johnson's widespread admiration and respect.
Was there bitterness in Walter Johnson?
Rhetorical question reiterating the lack of bitterness in Johnson.
Well it was never detected.
Emphasizing the undetectability of bitterness in Johnson's demeanor.
Now a record's just a record in a book that's just a book
Downplaying the significance of records and books.
Bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum
Repetitive musical interlude, maintaining rhythm.
This Walter Johnson, I speak of, never so much as gave the opposing team a dirty look
Highlighting Johnson's lack of hostility toward opponents.
Bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum ba bum
Reiterating Johnson's sportsmanship and lack of animosity.
And a season's just a season in a game that was supposed to be just a game
Stating Johnson's priority—caring for people over seeking fame.
Walter Johnson cared about people more than he cared about fame.
So all through baseball he was loved and respected
Reaffirmation of the widespread admiration and respect for Johnson.
Was there bitterness in Walter Johnson?
Rhetorical question underscoring the absence of bitterness in Johnson.
Well it was never detected.
Final emphasis on the indiscernible presence of bitterness in Johnson.
Comment