My Favorite Spring
(Tom Paxton)
I used to play baseball, I used to love to play.
The people all said I'd be a winner someday.
We played in the sandlots and the gravel school yards.
I once had a try-out with the St. Louis Cards.
The Cardinals said, "Young man, we sure like your arm.
We believe you can make it. We'll send you down to the farm.
You need a little seasoning; play a little Double A.
We'll give you a chance to show how much you want to play.
Chorus:
That was my favorite Spring.
I could do anything.
Full six foot tall and lean.
I was just seventeen.
My fast ball was nothing but smoke.
My curve ball snapped and broke.
My change-up made 'em look bad.
They couldn't hit a thing I had.
I was pitching down in Houston: I was doing really well.
I was in the rotation, I was givin' em hell.
I threw a two-hitter. You ought to heard people shout.
Very next morning Korean War broke out.
On the spur of the moment - I didn't have any plan,
I went and joined the Air Force; I wound up in Japan.
I pitched for the squadron and we toured all the camps.
We didn't have any problem, we were All-Far-East Champs.
cho:
I was throwing a no-hitter the day MacArthur got fired;
They were going down like ten-pins; I really had 'em wired.
Bottom of the seventh - throwing easy as can be
Something snapped in my shoulder - that was all she wrote for me.
So, I finished up my service and I moved back down here..
I married a fine woman and I found a new career.
We had us a young son and we watched Jimmy grow,
And the first time that he asked, I taught him everything I know.
Last Chorus:
This is my favorite Spring.
He can do anything.
Full six foot tall and lean.
He's just seventeen.
His fast ball gives 'em the shakes;
His curve ball snaps and breaks;
His change-up makes 'em look bad.
People say he takes after his dad.
(from the "Live For the Record" CD)
Copyright Tom Paxton
JO
APR99
Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!