Raggin' The Old Virginia Reel 1912

by James Pitt-Payne, London UK - 22 May 2008
2008

The old time songs
are the sweetest, they say,
with the old time dance,
it's just the same way,
at the old town hall
how gay you'd feel,
when they shouted:
"Partners for The Old Virginia Reel!"
Salute your partners,
then take her hand,
and then start right away
to the music of the band,
Ladies to the left,
Gents to the right!
You are dancing and prancing
the rest of the night!

The Old Virginia Reel,
you dance until you're out of breath,
the Old Virginia Reel,
Musicians played almost to death,
The Old Virginia Reel,
It certn'ly makes you feel,
Just like tryin' to cut the pigeon wing,
and ev'rybody clings,
almost like the Grizzly Bear,
ev'rybody swings,
they're happy and without a care,
Allemande left!
Doe do,
swing your partner and away you go,
a raggin' The Old Virginia Reel.

The Old Virginia Reel,
you dance until you're out of breath,
the Old Virginia Reel,
Musicians played almost to death,
The Old Virginia Reel,
It certn'ly makes you feel,
Just like tryin' to cut the pigeon wing,
and ev'rybody clings,
almost like the Grizzly Bear,
ev'rybody swings,
they're happy and without a care,
Allemande left!
Doe do,
swing your partner and away you go,
a raggin' The Old Virginia Reel.

Away down South, 'most every night,
they do that dance,
and they do it right,
The colored folks
just shout with glee,
Ever since old Abie Lincoln
went and set them free.
And music's played on the old banjo,
with your baby then away you go,
Palmer House glide,
Texas Tommie Slide,
you are clinging and singing
to the baby at your side.

The Old Virginia Reel,
you dance until you're out of breath,
the Old Virginia Reel,
Musicians played almost to death,
The Old Virginia Reel,
It certn'ly makes you feel,
Just like tryin' to cut the pigeon wing,
and ev'rybody clings,
almost like the Grizzly Bear,
ev'rybody swings,
they're happy and without a care,
Allemande left!
Doe do,
swing your partner and away you go,
a raggin' The Old Virginia Reel.

The Old Virginia Reel,
you dance until you're out of breath,
the Old Virginia Reel,
Musicians played almost to death,
The Old Virginia Reel,
It certn'ly makes you feel,
Just like tryin' to cut the pigeon wing,
and ev'rybody clings,
almost like the Grizzly Bear,
ev'rybody swings,
they're happy and without a care,
Allemande left!
Doe do,
swing your partner and away you go,
a raggin' The Old Virginia Reel.

Soft karaoke
Words
piano 1
piano 2
piano 3
piano 4
lyric
pizz str bass
*
Raggin' The Old Virginia Reel 1912
Music & Lyrics by Deely & Green
© MCMXII by M.Witmark & Son
*
sequence & karaoke by James Pitt-Payne, London UK
on Thursday 22 May 2008 at 14.59
in association with Veda Meyer-Castens
*