The words were written in 1908 by Jack Norworth, otherwise best-known for writing Shine On Harvest Moon. While riding a subway train, he was inspired by a sign that said "Baseball Today — Polo Grounds". After he wrote the lyrics, it was set to music by Albert Von Tilzer, although neither of them had ever seen a baseball game before. The song was first sung by Norworth's wife Nora Bayes, then further popularized by various vaudeville acts.
The verses to the song are almost never heard, but the chorus is commonly held to be the third most-often-played song in the United States, after The Star-Spangled Banner and Happy Birthday.
| 1908 Version Katie Casey was baseball mad, Had the fever and had it bad. Just to root for the home town crew, Ev'ry sou Katie blew. On a Saturday her young beau Called to see if she'd like to go To see a show But Miss Kate said "No, I'll tell you what you can do:" |
1927 Version Nelly Kelly loved baseball games, Knew the players, knew all their names. You could see her there ev'ry day, Shout "Hurray" When they'd play. Her boyfriend by the name of Joe Said, "To Coney Isle, dear, let's go", Then Nelly started to fret and pout, And to him, I heard her shout: |
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| Katie Casey saw all the games, Knew the players by their first names. Told the umpire he was wrong, All along, Good and strong. When the score was just two to two, Katie Casey knew what to do, Just to cheer up the boys she knew, She made the gang sing this song: |
Nelly Kelly was sure some fan, She would root just like any man, Told the umpire he was wrong, All along, Good and strong. When the score was just two to two, Nelly Kelly knew what to do, Just to cheer up the boys she knew, She made the gang sing this song: |
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| [repeat Chorus] | |||
Among those particularly associated with the song is Chicago Cubs announcer Harry Caray, who led the singing at games in Wrigley Field from 1981 through 1997.
Recordings and references