The Day I First Played Ball - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
THE DAY I FIRST PLAYED BALL. Tune- 'The Day I Played Base Ball." By John E. Shea. 
My name it is O'Gallagher, I'm a ball player by trade; I play now with a crack team,- boys, And a large salary I'm paid. 
I rank among the best of men. And deserve the praise of all; But I tell you what, it was no fun, The day I first played ball. 
Oh, first I tried the catcher's mask, Sure I thought myself in a powder flask, And they struck me with a cobbler's last, The day I first played ball. 
Then next I tried a "home run "bat. And hit the ball such a terrible smack, That it knocked a horse-car off the track, The day I first played ball. 
They put me behind the plate. And said it I caught a ball they'd treat; But I showed them I couldn't be beat, The day I first played ball. 
So then I tried to steal a base. Sure I fell down and broke my face; Oh, it was worse than a six-days race, The day I first played ball. 
Sure then I tried to throw a "fly," And it struck the manager in the eye; And they all jumped over the fence to die. The day I first played ball. 
The people then took off their hats, And the kids they all did holler "rats;" And they gave me all the broken bats, The day I first played ball. 
The ladies all appeared so gay. And presented me with a fine bouquet; And said I'd be worth 10,000 some day, If I'd learn to play base ball. 
Then I met a gang-one's name was Luke, He said, "old man, go take a fluke;" I turned and hit him a rap in the snute. The day I first played ball. 
The gang then gave me a bottle of rye, And said, "old man, you've got to die;" And they hung me on the gallows high. The day I first played ball.