The crowd was pretty hostile to the Vaudeville nine that day;
The M.C. blew every gag - they needed Max or Dan or Jay.
And when the opener had bombed and the second act had failed,
A disappointed grumbling throughout the house prevailed.

A struggling few got up to go in deep despair.
The rest remained to see it through and said a silent prayer.
"Where's the Great Casey?" He'd quell these angry hoards.
We know we'll get our money's worth if Casey strides the boards.

But Mimi the Mime preceded Casey as did the Juggler Jake,
And the former was a yawner and the latter was a flake.
Every soul within the Fox thought their prayers had gone for naught;
For there seemed but little chance they'd see Casey in the spot.

But Mimi knocked 'em dead as she walked into the wind,
And Jake caught every ball and club and each face now wore a grin.
And when the clapping ended and the curtain had come down,
They knew they'd soon see Casey and his wonders world renown.

Then from 500 throats and more a lusty cheer grew in the Fox.
It rumbled in the balcony, in the loge and every box;
It knocked upon the rafters and recoiled from each footlight,
For Casey, The Great Casey, had entered from stage right.

There was ease in Casey's manner as he strode into the light;
There was pride in Casey's bearing and his smile was shining bright.
And when a flash appeared and a rose plucked from the glow,
No one in the crowd could doubt Casey would save the show.

Then with a haughty flourish both empty hands he showed
And held aloft a silk top hat and to center stage he strode.
But the rabbit had quit the act and left a souvenir impure,
And Casey's hand went deep inside and spoiled his manicure.

A few up front saw Casey scowl in this situation sticky.
I'll split that hare, thought Casey and I'm not just being picky.
But he smiled and set the hat aside...they'll think I've yet begun;
But in the wings they saw the goof and someone said, "That's one."

Two silver rings are now displayed, one in each of Casey's hands,
And from the darkened room there came a cheer from Casey's fans.
Each one had seen the rings before - to them t'was history,
But all still wondered at the feat and enjoyed the mystery.

Casey brings the silver bands together till they meet;
One ring inside the other - it is a wondrous feat
Each mouth hung wide in silence as the rings just met and clinked.
Five hundred minds within the Fox knew they should have linked.

Now Casey uses all his skills to hold back profanity;
For he knows the rings he held were just a bit 'off key.'
From a heckler in the darkness there came a scornful "BOO!"
And a voice backstage caught Casey's ear and clearly said, "That's two."

A disappointed grumbling started building in the room.
The patrons and the players thought the show had met its doom.
But with one stately gesture Casey stopped the growing groan,
When he pulled apart the curtains to reveal a giant throne.

Then from the wings there walked a damsel so petite,
And Casey, The Great Casey, gently placed her on the seat.
Now Casey threw a scarlet cloth deftly in the air
And soft as a fog it settled down and covered girl and chair.

Then Casey struck a pompous pose and pulled the silk aside,
And a puzzled frown creased every face...the girl still sat inside.
Casey's just not the same - he's lost everything they feared
But Casey smirked, held up one hand...and then he disappeared!

Oh somewhere in this favored land they talk about a show;
There's delighted clapping somewhere and you hear a loud "Bravo!"
And somewhere "Encore - Encore!" resounds from every nook;
But there is no joy in Vaudeville - The Great Casey got the hook.