A syncopated, raggedy dance song, 1913.
Title varies from “The International Rag” to “That International Rag”.
Words and Music by Irving Berlin.
Cover Art by E.H. Pfeiffer.
Copyright ©12 August 1913
Also used in “ALEXANDER’S RAGTIME BAND,” 1938.
Also used in “CALL ME MADAM.” 1953 film.
Sheet Music from the collection of Michael Deatz.
The sheet music (Cover Art by E.H. Pfeiffer) (Title “The….” on inside):
Alternate Cover (Yellow color):
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- What did you do America?
They’re after you America
You got excited and you started something
Nations jumping all around
You’ve got a lot to answer for
They lay the blame right at your door
The world is ragtime crazy
From shore to shore
Chorus
London dropped it’s dignity
So has France and Germany
All hands are dancing to a
Raggedy melody full of originality
The folks who live in sunny Spain
Dance to a strain that they call the Spanish Tango
Dukes and Lords and Russian Czars
Men who own their motor cars
Throw up their shoulders to that
Raggedy melody full of originality
Italian opera singers
Have learned to snap their fingers
The world goes ’round to the sound
Of the International Rag
- In every land America
Most every band America
Has started everybody dancing daily
Prancing gaily all around
There’s syncopation in the air
They’ve got the fever everywhere
Each happy, snappy chappy
Cries, “It’s a bear”
Sung here by Fred Feild: