Johnny Sylvester Comes Back to Visit The Babe

He looked like an apparition

Like a ghost without the sheet

But his eyes burned like a stove pipe

As he limped along the street

He walked by me slow but firmly

Knew he wouldn't stop to chat

But I thought that I might help him

He shook his head and touched his hat

He said I've come to see The Babe

They say Babe Ruth is dyin'

I've come to lift his spirits

Just like he once lifted mine

I can't promise any homers

I'm no Sultan of Swat

But I'll be up there swingin'

With everything I got

Years ago I lay in bed

My life hung like a rope

My sickly frame was wracked with pain

They said there was no hope

But the big guy would have none of that

He just sneered at tragedy

He hit four home runs that Series

And every one for me

Thanks to those arcing wallops

My wretched body healed

Thanks to the greatest player

That ever took the field

And as he stood above me

My eyes alert but dim

I never thought that someday

I'd be staring down at him

And I've come to see The Babe

They say Babe Ruth is dyin'

I've come to lift his spirits

Just like he once lifted mine

I can't promise any homers

I'm no Sultan of Swat

But I'll be up there swingin'

With everything I got

Before there was Paul Bunyan

Before old Honest Abe

Before there was John Henry

There always was The Babe

He took a hundred million spirits

And said dare to be a land

He took one dying child

And said stand up and be a man

And I've come to see The Babe

They say Babe Ruth is dyin'

I've come to lift his spirits

Just like he once lifted mine

I can't promise any homers

I'm no Sultan of Swat

But I'll be up there swingin'

With everything I got