Where That Ragtime River Flows 1912

by James Pitt-Payne, London UK - 6 Jan 2009
2009

In a big café
down on old Broadway
a waiter by the name of Lee,
said: "Yo' entertainin' men's all right
but take this little tip from me:
Those ragtime songs yo' sing up North
'bout which yo' make such splurge
If yo' ever was to sing 'em
down in my home town
They'd take 'em for a fun'ral dirge.
Ocean Rolls quite deep may be
but a ragtime river's
good enough fo' me.

Where that Ragtime River flows,
where ev'ry breeze that blows,
sets the boats all doin' a ragtime sway,
while the waves all roll,
and tumble on their syncopated way.
And when that steam boat band
strikes up a tune,
Yo' grab yo'self a partner
and commence to spoon
and Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!
when that whistle blows
that peculiar feelin'
comes a stealin' over yo'
yo' cuddle up some closer
and yo' don't care what yo' do.
Yo' just roll your eyes to heaven
and yo' holler for more;
while your swayin'
yo' are prayin'
that yo' never will reach shore
Down where that ragtime river flows.

Listen while I tell you
about that stream
that flows right down the Dixieland,
where the mermaids dance a wiggly wag
for Neptune that is simply grand.
Where the steamboat engine's
chug, chug, chug,
makes a ragtime melody
while the passengers on board
all do the "Bunny Hug,"
That's where I ever long to be.
Ocean Liners may be fine
but a ragtime river boat
will do fo' mine.

Where that Ragtime River flows,
where ev'ry breeze that blows,
sets the boats all doin' a ragtime sway,
while the waves all roll,
and tumble on their syncopated way.
And when that steam boat band
strikes up a tune,
Yo' grab yo'self a partner
and commence to spoon
and Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!
when that whistle blows
that peculiar feelin'
comes a stealin' over yo'
yo' cuddle up some closer
and yo' don't care what yo' do.
Yo' just roll your eyes to heaven
and yo' holler for more;
while your swayin'
yo' are prayin'
that yo' never will reach shore
Down where that ragtime river flows.

Soft karaoke
Words
piano 1
piano 2
piano 3
piano 4
lyric
pizz str bass
*
Where That Ragtime River Flows 1912
by J.R.Shannon
© MCMXII by Grinnell Bros. - Detroit, Mich.
*
sequence & karaoke by James Pitt-Payne, London UK
on Tuesday 5 January 2009 at 17.45
in association with Veda Meyer-Castens
*