GAME CALLED

GAME CALLED BY GRANTLAND RICE

This page has the 2 varations of this great poem written by a baseball writer. The first is mentioning the passing of Babe Ruth. The second is from his fireside baseball book, so sit back and enjoy these great poems. Listen to the 2nd poem variation with the lovely video tribute from the HBO special entitled 'When it Was a Game'

 

GAME CALLED

BY GRANTLAND RICE

Game Called by darkness — let the curtain fall.

No more remembered thunder sweeps the field.

No more the ancient echoes hear the call

To one who wore so well both sword and shield:

The Big Guy’s left us with the night to face

And there is no one who can take his place.

Game Called — and silence settles on the plain.

Where is the crash of ash against the sphere?

Where is the mighty music, the refrain

That once brought joy to every waiting ear?

The Big Guy’s left us lonely in the dark

Forever waiting for the flaming spark.

Game Called — what more is there for us to say?

How dull and drab the field looks to the eye

For one who ruled it in a golden day

Has waved his cap to bid us all good-bye.

The Big Guy’s gone — by land or sea or foam

May the Great Umpire call him “safe at home.”

 AUGUST 16,1948

GAME CALLED

BY GRANTLAND RICE

Game Called. Across the field of play

the dusk has come, the hour is late.

The fight is done and lost or won,

the player files out through the gate.

The tumult dies, the cheer is hushed,

the stands are bare, the park is still.

But through the night there shines the light,

home beyond the silent hill.

Game Called. Where in the golden light

the bugle rolled the reveille.

The shadows creep where night falls deep,

and taps has called the end of play.

The game is done, the score is in,

the final cheer and jeer have passed.

But in the night, beyond the fight,

the player finds his rest at last.

Game Called. Upon the field of life

the darkness gathers far and wide,

the dream is done, the score is spun

that stands forever in the guide.

Nor victory, nor yet defeat

is chalked against the players name.

But down the roll, the final scroll,

shows only how he played the game.

 

 

COPYRIGHTED IN 1956