Oh, That Beautiful Rag

A 1910 popular song.
Words by Irving Berlin.
Music by Ted Snyder.


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


Lyrics

  1. Honey, that leader man leads like a leader can
    Just see him leadin’ that band
    My honey, don’t you understand
    That they’re playin’ music grand? and
    Just never mind the name
    Ragtime is all the same
    Music is music with me
    But I will say that it’s beautiful, hon’
    With a great big capital B

Chorus
Oh! oh! oh! oh!
Oh! that beautiful rag
It sets my heart a-reelin’
Oh! oh! oh! oh!
Oh! that beautiful drag
That funny feeling stealing
Hear that trombone blowin’, hon’
Ain’t dem fiddles goin’ some?
Oh! sir, Oh! sir, cuddle up closer
Squeeze me like you would a flower
Make a minute last an hour
Oh! oh! oh! oh!
Oh! that heavenly strain
It makes me feel so funny
If I ever cry, “Don’t play it again”
Just don’t believe me, honey
Oh, my dearie, can’t you hear me callin’?
Come up near me, catch me, dear, I’m fallin’
Oh! oh! oh! oh!
Oh! that beautiful rag

  1. What does my honey want?
    Go in a restaurant?
    Now you is talkin’ some sense
    And this here place is just immense
    I know you don’t mind expense, hence
    Bring on yo’ bill o’ fare
    Honey, I do declare
    Somehow I’m feelin’ forlorn
    Hear them playin’ that old beautiful rag
    Now my appetite is gone

Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: