Day 20: Joe DiMaggio Done it Again

The great American songwriter and observer of the common folks' way of life, Woody Guthrie penned today's Baseball Song of the Day; "Joe Dimaggio Done it Again." After World War II, Guthrie and his wife moved to Mermaid Avenue in Coney Island where they started their family and had four children, one of which; Cathy who died in a fire at only fours old. It is this period, that many think he produced some of his best work.

In 1995, one of Woody's other three children, daughter Nora, contacted Englishman Billy Bragg about putting music to many of Woody's unfinished words and lyrics. He accepted her offer and in turn, contacted the American band Wilco about contributing to the project which eventually was titled, Mermaid Avenue. It was such a well received recording (they received a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album), that both Bragg and Wilco reunited in the effort to produce a second go-around in Mermaid Avenue, Vol. 2.

It was Nora's hope that the songs would help to introduce Woody's historic talent to a new generation. With their free hollarin', yip yapping, banjo-picking, and wonderful harmonies, this one is a pure delight that instantly puts you in a good mood reminiscing about a baseball legend doing what only legends can do, which is producing results over and over again, and lifting the spirits of all who are lucky enough to witness his tremendous feats.


BSOD 20: Joe DiMaggio Done it Again
Artist: Billy Bragg & Wilco (lyrics by Woody Guthrie)
Album: Mermaid Avenue Vol. 2
Released: 2000

To hear a sample of the song, click on the album, and on the page that appears, there are links to listen to the song.

Joe DiMaggio Done it Again lyrics

Joe DiMaggio's done it again
Clackin' that bat, gone with the wind
Joe DiMaggio's done it again

Some folks thought Big Joe was done
Some just figured Joe was gone
Steps to the platter with a great big grin
Joe DiMaggio's done it again

I'm gonna tell you just the way I feel
Man can't run without his heel
Watch that raggy pill split the wind
Joe DiMaggio's done it again

All three fielders jumped their best
Trying to climb that high board fence
They all growed whiskers on their chins
Joe DiMaggio's done it again

Up along the clouds where the eagles roam
Joe cracked that ball to whine and moan
His buddies all laugh as they trot on in
Joe DiMaggio's done it again

Grandma's home by the radio
On the television watching Joe
She jerks the beard off of Grandpa's chin
Joe DiMaggio's done it again

The puppy dog barked at the pussycat
How does it look from where you sat?
Looks like a cyclone slidin' in
Joe DiMaggio's done it again