THE OLD ROOTER

I saw them open yesterday, the Giants and their foemen,

I saw them field and hit and run, the fast men and the slow men;

The sky was just as blue above, the sod as green beneath

As when the old-time Giants used to frisk around the heath.

But Billy Gilbert was n't there,

Old Second Baseman Billy,

Who used to pluck‘ em from the air

And drive the bleachers silly.

I saw them open yesterday, I heard the turnstile clicking;

I heard the popcorn venders’ cry and heard the tickers ticking.

The field was smooth as desert land, the multitude was shouting,

And to the heavens rose the sound of clouting, clouting, clouting.

But Michael Donlin was n't there,

The Mike they used to cheer for.

“Come on, Mike, clout!” was all the shout

We used to have an ear for.

The Giants opened yesterday, an April day and sunny;

They played before a New York crowd of fashion, fun and money.

Grandstanders cheered, the young fans jeered; the crowd was standing, swaying,

It made me sigh for days gone by, when first I saw them playing.

But Dan McGann has gone away

And Dahlen with his science;

Mertes and Seymour could n't stay —

The Giants opened yesterday

But not the old-time Giants.