Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?
Buddy Johnson Lyrics


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Did you see Jackie Robinson hit that ball?
It went zoomin′ cross the left field wall.
Yeah boy!
Yes, yes. Jackie hits that ball.

And when he swung his bat,
The crowd went wild,
Because he knocked that ball a solid mile.
Yeah boy!
Yes, yes. Jackie hit that ball.

Satchel Paige is mellow,
So is Campanella,
Newcombe and Doby, too.
But it's a natural fact,
When Jackie comes to bat,
The other team is through. Boy.

Did you see Jackie Robinson hit that ball?
Did he hit it? Boy, and that ain′t all.
He stole home.
Yes, yes, Jackie's real gone.

Satchel Paige is mellow,
So is Campanella,
Newcombe and Doby, too.
But it's a natural fact,
When Jackie comes to bat,
The other team is through. Boy.

Did you see Jackie Robinson hit that ball?
Did he hit it? Boy, and that ain′t all.
He stole home.




Yes, yes, Jackie′s real gone.
Jackie's is a real gone guy.

Overall Meaning

Buddy Johnson's song "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?" is an ode to Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. The song celebrates Robinson's talent and the impact he had on the game, as well as his role in breaking down barriers for other black athletes.


The lyrics focus on Robinson's skills as a batter and base runner, with lines like "Did he hit it? Boy, and that ain't all. He stole home." The song also mentions other black baseball players of the time, such as Satchel Paige and Roy Campanella, but emphasizes Robinson's unique ability to change the game.


In addition to its cultural significance, the song has also been praised for its musical qualities. The lively tune and catchy lyrics have made it a favorite of baseball fans and music lovers alike, and it has been covered by artists such as Nat King Cole and Count Basie.


Line by Line Meaning

Did you see Jackie Robinson hit that ball?
Did you witness Jackie Robinson hitting that ball?


It went zoomin' cross the left field wall.
The ball went flying over the left field wall.


Yeah boy!
Affirmative.


Yes, yes. Jackie hits that ball.
Indeed, Jackie Robinson hits the ball.


And when he swung his bat,
At the time he swung his bat,


The crowd went wild,
The spectators went crazy,


Because he knocked that ball a solid mile.
Because he hit the ball a tremendous distance.


Satchel Paige is mellow,
Satchel Paige is calm,


So is Campanella,
So is Campanella,


Newcombe and Doby, too.
As well as Newcombe and Doby.


But it's a natural fact,
It's an undeniable truth,


When Jackie comes to bat,
When Jackie is up to bat,


The other team is through. Boy.
The other team has no chance of winning.


Did he hit it? Boy, and that ain't all.
Did he hit it? Absolutely, and there's more to it.


He stole home.
He successfully stole the home base.


Yes, yes, Jackie's real gone.
Indeed, Jackie Robinson is truly remarkable.


Jackie's is a real gone guy.
Jackie is an exceptional person.




Writer(s): Woodrow Buddy Johnson

Contributed by Ava P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Daniel Ippolito

Absolutely beautiful tune, they don’t make ‘em like this no more.

John Douglas

Love this song based on "Rhythm" changes, and other great Buddy Johnson tunes. Great "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" quotes in intro and coda. Jackie Robinson had immense courage. Fortunately, some of his teammates and Dodger manager Leo Durocher were in his corner 100%. Unfortunately, some weren't, and some players on other teams were just as racist as the baseball fans that tried to make his life miserable on the field and off. He always held his head high, with the exception when he was ducking tags while stealing second base. Great tribute song.

Bob Poet

Count Basie's version featured during credits for the movie 42.

Read somewhere that Jackie himself didn't care for this song. Perhaps he was just being modest..... what do you think??

Bob Poet

4 Hall of Famers mentioned in this song, maybe a 5th coming...

lakemen50

David Van Dyke on Saxophone.

Jake

No comments for this piece of history?

surferpam1

Too solid for words, pops.

Alfonso Salgado

Heard on Ken Burns Baseball documentary

Michael Scourby

Not Buddy, Louis Jordan

Paul Luchter

Wrong and Ella Johnson was his wife.

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