Walter E. Jagiello, otherwise known as “Lil’ Wally the Polka King.” died last Thursday of heart failure.
Jagiello co-wrote Let’s Go Go Go White Sox in 1959. The song was made popular by Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers and the fight song is still played at all Sox home games.
Lil’ Wally had quite a career as a polka musician in Chicago’s Polish Broadway. He said his finest moment was when he was asked to play for the Pope in 1984.
Lyrics to the Go Go White Sox fight song:
GO-GO WHITE SOX!
White Sox! White Sox!
Go-Go White Sox!
Let’s go, Go-Go White Sox
We’re with you all the way!
You’re always in there fighting,
And you do your best.
We’re glad to have you out here in the Middle West.
We’re gonna root-root-root-root White Sox.
And cheer you on to victory.
When we’re in the stands,
We’ll make those rafters ring;
All through the season,
You will hear us sing.
Let’s go, Go-Go White Sox,
Chicago’s proud of you!
White Sox! White Sox!
Go-Go White Sox!
Root-Root-Root for the White Sox. We’ll cheer you on to victory.
When we’re in the stands,
We’ll make those rafters ring;
All through the season,
You will hear us sing.
Let’s go, Go-Go White Sox,
Chicago’s proud of you!
White Sox! White Sox!
Go-Go White Sox!
Let’s go, Go-Go White Sox!
Chicago is proud of you!
This is indeed sad news for a loyal White Sox fan like myself! Maybe he can pull a few strings from upstairs. GO SOX GO!!!