Jack Kennedy: Music

Iron Horse

You were the kid in the picture on the cover of the Post
standing with Lou Gehrig. It was the most
revealing picture of the boy you’d always be.
Would you have imagined that you’d turn out just like he?
The irony of the picture, you’d understand of course,
is that you’re the one who was the Iron Horse.

Year in, year out, you’d be on deck again,
but never as you played the games would you talk about the pain.
You kept it all inside, you were braver than the rest,
No matter how you felt, you tried to do your best,
You were ready with your bat and fearless with your glove,
this, I know, is how you showed your love.

In the middle of the picture, you’re standing next to Lou,
everything about you looks so alive and young and new.
You’re standing by your hero, I can see it in your eyes,
how much it meant to you to be so close to him, I realize
This was the moment, a turning point of course
when you knew you’d be just like him, you’d be the Iron Horse.

Year in, year out, you’d be on deck again,
but never as you played the games would you talk about the pain.
You kept it all inside, you were braver than the rest,
No matter how you felt, you tried to do your best,
You were ready with your bat and fearless with your glove,
this, I know, is how you showed your love.

And even as your strength wore out, you’d play another game,
digging deep inside for hope to overcome the pain.
You pushed yourself to make it home, you ran, you dove, you slid,
you did it for the ones who loved you, you did it for the kids,
And even when the chips were down, you tried to stay on course
to be just like the mighty Lou, to be the Iron Horse.

Year in, year out, you’d be on deck again,
but never as you played the games would you talk about the pain.
You kept it all inside, you were braver than the rest,
No matter how you felt, you tried to do your best,
You were ready with your bat and fearless with your glove,
this, I know, is how you showed your love.

© Jack Kennedy 1/4/97