Tessie
"Tessie" is both the longtime anthem of the Boston Red Sox and a 2004 song by the punk rock group the Dropkick Murphys. The original "Tessie" was from the 1902 Broadway musical The Silver Slipper. The newer song, written in 2004, recounts how the singing of the original "Tessie" by the Royal Rooters fan club helped the Boston Americans win the first World Series in 1903. The name Tessie itself is a diminutive form used with several names, including Esther, Tess, and Theresa/Teresa.
Broadway & Royal Rooters version
The original version of "Tessie (You Are the Only, Only, Only)" was written by Will R. Anderson and was featured in the Broadway musical The Silver Slipper, which ran for 160 performances between October 27, 1902 and March 14, 1903. The song was about a woman singing to her beloved parakeet "Tessie".
While a popular tune, the song gained greater notoriety when it was adopted as a rallying cry by the Royal Rooters, a collection of loyal fans led by Michael T. McGreevy, informally known as "Nuf Ced" McGreevy, owner of the 3rd Base saloon. McGreevy earned his nickname "Nuf Ced" due to the way he kept peace in his bar: when he grew frustrated with arguments over the Boston Americans (who would later be renamed the Red Sox) and the Boston Braves (who would later move to Milwaukee and, eventually, Atlanta), he would pound his hand on the bar and declare "'Nuff [enough] said!". Boston mayor John "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald, grandfather of President John F. Kennedy, was a member of the Royal Rooters.
Tessie (EP)
Tessie is an EP by Dropkick Murphys released in 2004. It features two covers of the official anthem of the Boston Red Sox, "Tessie". Among the songs included on the CD, only "The Burden (live on WBCN)" and "Tessie (Old Timey Baseball Version)" appear exclusively on this release. "Fields of Athenry" was previously released on Blackout, "Nutty", the song most associated with the Boston Bruins ice hockey team, which is also known as "Nutrocker", was released later on Singles Collection, Volume 2, a rarities compilation album and "Tessie" was a bonus track on their next album, The Warrior's Code, which also included a studio recorded version of "The Burden". The music video for "Tessie" is included on the enhanced portion of this EP.
Track listing
References
Podcasts:
Tessie
by: Dropkick Murphys(Quatro/Tuckey)
She packed her bags one moonlit night
Bought a ticket on a mystery flight
To a heaven where dreamers dream
To a hell where losers weep
She's gone to Hollywood
Bright yellow letter shine way up high
Sweet sixteen she's got stars in her eyes
Will she ride in a chauffeur driven car
Or will she die of a broken heart
She's gone to Hollywood, oh Hollywood
Hi ya, mama, how are ya dad
Been thinkin' 'bout ya please don't be sad
You'll never guess where I'm calling from
I'll be a star before too long
Cuz I'm in Hollywood, oh Hollywood
Oh it feels so good to be a star in Hollywood
Long distance ringing in the middle of the night
Sayin' somethin' 'bout a suicide
Missing Persons calling from the coast
Your daughter's dead from an overdose
Hollywood, she's dead in Hollywood
Latest News for: tessie
Today’s obituary: Henry Beck, 90, founded Tessy Plastics in Elbridge in 1973
The Post-Standard 12 Mar 2025- 1