Dear Sun Spots: First of all, I would like to say I love your column and read it every day.

I was wondering if you could please print the words to the Boston Red Sox’s theme song. I believe the name of the song is “Nessy” or “Nessie?” Thank you. – Sarah J., Bryant Pond.

Answer: Sun Spots believes you are referring to the 2004 re-release of “Tessie” by Boston-area punk rock group the Dropkick Murphys.

The original version of “Tessie” was written by Will R. Anderwon and was featured in the Broadway musical “The Silver Slipper.” It was later adopted as a rallying cry by the Royal Rooters, a collection of loyal Southie fans led by Michael T. “Nuf Ced” McGreevy, owner of the 3rd Base saloon. He earned the nickname due to the way he kept peace in his bar; when frustrated with arguments over the Red Sox and the Boston Braves, he would pound his hand on the bar and declare “Nuff Said!”

You might also be interested in noting that several unofficial theme songs exist:

Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” is performed with raucous audience participation in the middle of the eighth inning at Fenway Park.

The Standells’ “Dirty Water” is played after each victory at Fenway Park.

The Dropkick Murphys’ rewrite of “Tessie” is played after “Dirty Water” and for rallies.

“Who’s Your Papi?” played during David Ortiz’s at-bats. “Big Papi” is Ortiz’s nickname.

The Dropkick Murphys recorded a cover of “Tessie” to help bring back the spirit of the Rooters and to put the Red Sox back on top. Their dream was realized as later that year the Sox won their first World Series in 86 years. Go, Sox!

Tessie

Tessie is the Royal Rooters rally cry

Tessie is the tune they always sung

Tessie echoed April through October nights

After serenading Stahl, Dinneen and Young

Tessie is a maiden with a sparkling eye

Tessie is a maiden with a love

She doesn’t know the meaning of her sight

She’s got a comment full of love

And sometimes when the game is on the line

Tessie always carried them away

Up the road from “Third Base” to Huntington

The boys will always sing and sway

Two! Three! Four!

Tessie, “Nuf Ced” McGreevey shouted

We’re not here to mess around

Boston, you know we love you madly

Hear the crowd roar to your sound

Don’t blame us if we ever doubt you

You know we couldn’t live without you

Tessie, you are the only only only

The Rooters showed up at the grounds one day

They found their seats had all been sold

McGreevey led the charge into the park

Stormed the gates and put the game on hold

The Rooters gave the other team a dreadful fright

Boston’s tenth man could not be wrong

Up from “Third Base” to Huntington

They’d sing another victory song

Two! Three! Four!

Tessie, “Nuf Ced” McGreevey shouted

We’re not here to mess around

Boston, you know we love you madly

Hear the crowd roar to your sound

Don’t blame us if we ever doubt you

You know we couldn’t live without you

Tessie, you are the only only only

The Rooters gave the other team a dreadful fright

Boston’s tenth man could not be wrong

Up from “Third Base” to Huntington

They’d sing another victory song

Two! Three! Four!

Tessie, “Nuf Ced” McGreevey shouted

We’re not here to mess around

Boston, you know we love you madly

Hear the crowd roar to your sound

Don’t blame us if we ever doubt you

You know we couldn’t live without you

Tessie, you are the only only only

Don’t blame us if we ever doubt you

You know we couldn’t live without you

Boston, you are the only only only

Don’t blame us if we ever doubt you

You know we couldn’t live without you

Red Sox, you are the only only only



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