3rd BASE, STADIUM (From the Ry Cooder album, Chavez [2005]. Sung by Bla Pahinui)
Mister, a baseball man, as anyone can plainly see. The straightest game in this land. Take a little tip from me. I work here nights, parking cars, the moon and stars. The same ones that we all back in 1952. And if you want to where a local boy like me is coming from: 3rd base, Stadium.
2nd base, right there. I see grandma in her rocking chair. Watching linens in the breeze, and all the fellows choosing up their teams. Hand over hand on that Louisville. Crowning the top, of the hill. Mound to home, sixty feet. been very good to me. And if you to know where a local boy like me is coming from: 3rd base, Stadium. 3rd base, Stadium.
Back the 76 ball, Johnny Greeneyes had his shoeshine stall. In the middle of the 1st base line, got my kiss, Florencia was kind. Now, if the dozer hadnt my yard, youd see the tree with our initials carved. So many moments in my memory. Sure was fun, cause the was free. It was free.
Hey mister, you seem anxious to go. Youll that seat, in the 7th row Behind plate, where we used to meet. When we were young, we had dreams. Just a place you dont know, up a road you go. Just a thought, laid to in my mind, just a time. If you care to know Im gonna go when I hit my last homerun: 3rd base, Stadium. 3rd base, Stadium. 3rd base, Stadium. Hey, Mister, you are a man. Yes, Im a man myself. Yes, Im a man, too. Baseball been very to me. Yes, baseball been good to me.