In 1926 Christy Walsh (who was Babe Ruth’s agent), Addy Britt, and Harry Link, with Berlin’s approval, wrote new lyrics to Berlin’s 1914 song to accompany Babe Ruth’s vaudeville appearances.
Words by Christy Walsh, Addy Britt, and Harry Link.
Music by Irving Berlin (in 1914).
Cover Art by Albert W. Barbelle.
Copyright ©8 Nov 1926.
Sheet Music from the collection of Michael Deatz.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics:
Heroes come, heroes go
Fans are fickle we know
Stars only shine for a while
Millions sang Trudy’s name
Thru the old Hall of Fame.
Tunney has found fortunes smile
There’s a new star who is bringing
Fame to our national game.
He came batting along
Close to four hundred strong
Hitting his way into fame
Chorus 1:
We were looking for a home run hero
When along came Ruth,
Along came Ruth.
He makes the others look like zero,
When Babe comes along
The pitchers ride a merry-go-’round.
He socks that old white apple
To the bleachers far away.
He’s the King of Swat,
He’s the Yanks’ big shot,
The idol of the day.
Chorus 2:
We all thought that Donlin was a hitter
When along came Ruth,
Along came Ruth.
We knew he wouldn’t be a quitter,
When Ruth came along,
We bet our dough and didn’t go wrong.
With three men on the bases,
And with two strikes out I own
When along came Ruth
And to tell the truth
The boys come marching home.
Chorus 3
We were rooting for a man named Tunney
When along came Ruth,
Along came Ruth.
He brought more joy that John D’s money,
To each little tot
For when they call he’s right on the spot,
I know a crippled kiddie,
Who was blue and longed to play
When along came Ruth
And to tell the truth
He’s playing ball today.
Sung by Laurence Rubenstein: