Babe Ruth hit the final three home runs of his career on May 25, 1935. His last hurrah came with the Boston Braves and it was clear his era had passed. But what a ride it had been.
The country was crazy about him even before he started setting home run records and winning World Series titles with the Yankees. Long before talk shows and Facebook, folks often expressed their feelings in song. Back in 1920, as the 
Yankee faithful were getting to know their newest slugger, William V. Hart of New York wrote a little ditty. Edward Nelson added the music and Oh! You, Babe Ruth was born. Yeah, it’s a funny title. No one has talked like that for a long time but that kind of makes it even better.
If you like vintage baseball memorabilia, you’ve probably seen the sheet music somewhere. Not commonly found in your average antique store today, it usually sells for hundreds of dollars when rare copies come to auction.
The lyrics are inside and if you read music you can probably sort of get an idea what it sounds like but I couldn’t recall ever hearing it. It seemed kind of a shame. Not being musically inclined myself, I decided it would be fun to find someone to play and/or sing it.
And so, 98 years after it was produced and (maybe) for the first time, here’s what Oh! You, Babe Ruth sounds like. Maybe it’s not going to win a Grammy, but if you love baseball history, hopefully you’ll get a kick out of it.
And this could be fun. If you do have some musical talent, I’d love to hear your modernized version of the song. Maybe turn it into a rock anthem for the Babe? If you can record it, we’ll try to post it. Just shoot me a note ([email protected]).
Now Babe Ruth’s a treasure beyond earthly measure…
Down in the depths of all hearts, boys…
To reach his position is all youth’s ambition…
The cynosure of all their hearts joys…
To swat like Ruth is their dream night and day..
His brilliant homers stole their hearts away…
Ruth! Ruth! Oh, you, Babe Ruth! …
You are in all our themes…
Your kind face holds a place in every Yankee lad’s dreams..
They love you…
Your true sharp eyes of blue…
Idol of all forsooth…
Heaven above can’t change the love…
We hold for you, Babe Ruth…
Now Ruthism is catching. It’s mighty far-fetching…
It has made all Yankee hearts stout…
There’s Pipp, Peck and Meusel…they never more foozle…
With Ping they’re all there with a strong clout…
It gave them courage and helped them along…
Here’s to the Yankees, let’s toast them in song…
Ruth! Ruth! Oh, you, Babe Ruth! …
You are in all our themes…
Your kind face holds a place in every Yankee lad’s dreams..
They love you…
Your true sharp eyes of blue…
Idol of all forsooth…
Heaven above can’t change the love…
We hold for you, Babe Ruth…
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