Somewhere Between Old And New York

(album: I Should Be With You - 1988)

For 60 years he shined shoes in the same spot in the shadow of Yankee Stadium
As he shines he hears the game, and in his mind he hears his name as if he played for them
He takes his turn at bat, there's the pitch, he swings at it, and it's gone

Back through the years he's gone
To take the field with Ruth and Gehrig, bring the pennant home
He sees himself in pinstripes, in a lineup of his own
He's stranded on a basepath, somewhere between old and New York

As a customer asks for a shine, he snaps his cloth, another inning ends
Dodgers come to bat, there's a drive, he makes the catch: two quarters tossed to him
His cloth becomes a glove, as he's done with every customer he's known

Back through the years he's gone
To take the field with Maris and Mantle, bring the pennant home
He sees himself in pinstripes, in a lineup of his own
He's stranded on a basepath, somewhere between old and New York

He takes his turn at bat, there's the pitch, he swings at it, there it goes

Back through the years he goes
Ride a ticker tape parade with Joe DiMaggio
As he patiently signs an autograph with a spitshine on a toe
He's stranded on a basepath, somewhere between old and New York