The sound of the bat. The intensity of each game. The cheers of the crowd after the final out. We are at the end of America’s most competitive section. But there’s more to be proud of than your favorite team’s chances at winning the World Series. 2008 marks 100 years since the birth of one of America’s most loved and beloved sports anthems: – “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
The legacy of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”The joy it brings to listeners over the last 100 year spans far beyond what the song has brought them. The ASCAP Foundation was created directly by this song. This charity is dedicated to supporting American music creators, encouraging their development through music education, talent-development programs, and other charitable activities.
In 1975, Amy Swor Norworth was married to Jack Norworth. She founded the ASCAP Foundation. “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”Albert Von Tilzer, composer, left an extensive bequest to ASCAP for the Jack and Amy Norworth Memorial Fund, to support deserving young composers through royalties. “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
“The deep, emotional connection that the American public has with ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’ is a testament to the power of music to shape our experiences and to bring us together,”Karen Sherry is vice president and executive direct of The ASCAP Foundation. “The place that this song holds in the history of American music is all the more special, given its role in helping many others to pursue the craft of songwriting that Jack Norworth himself so loved. All of us at The ASCAP Foundation are indebted to his generosity and celebrate this amazing milestone, as we continue our work of encouraging young songwriters to pursue their dreams.”
“Take Me Out to the Ball Game,”This song is usually sung at the end of the seventh inning at baseball games. It has since become a staple in American songwriting. Here are some fun facts about this song:
It is the third most sung song in America. “Happy Birthday”And “The Star Spangled Banner.”
It has been sold in sheet music, and/or recordings to over 10,000,000 copies.
Over the last 100 years, the song has been recorded by more than 400 musicians representing every possible genre.
The original lyrics of the song are now available at The National Baseball Hall of Fame Library, Cooperstown (New York).