(A Vocal Adaptation of the Famous Instrumental)
A popular song from 1918.
Words and music by J. Russel Robinson & Spencer Williams.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Way down in Jungleland where cocoanuts are growin’
On next Tuesday night the animals are goin’
If the moon shines bright they’ll make an awful showin’
Be prepared for the comin’ and the hummin’
Of the strummin’ jazzin’ band
Which player upon these rare occasions
You can only be admitted there by invitations
You may think it funny, but it costs no money
to have one wondrous time
Just see that big baboon, croonin’ a tune
Combin’ his hair by the light of the moon
Ringtail man leadin’ the band, shake it up while you can
CHORUS
Oh! such modulation
The Ringtail monkey played so “honky tonky”
The “ranga-tang” he lost his shoes
All the population is goin’ crazy
About the Ringtail Blues
2. You may or may not like this style of syncopation
Just the same you’re goin’ to crave that modulation
Get your trunk all packed without procrastination
Hear the horns all a-hootin’ and a-tootin’ and salutin’
Jungleland’s sure proud of Ringtail’s aggregation
It’s the best jazz band in all the monkey nation
And altho’ you won’t believe it, you will never leave it
Once you have heard them play
There goes that big baboon, croonin’ his tune
See ’em all shake in the light of the moon
Ain’t no bluff, looks kind-a rough
Watching’ ’em “strut their stuff”