The Ghost of a Rag

A popular song from 1912.
Words by Lew Brown.
Music by Albert Von Tilzer.

The sheet music:

The-Ghost-of-a-Rag – Sheet MusicDownload

Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:

The_Ghost_Of_A_Rag – MIDIDownload

Lyrics

  1. Who’s that, who’s that knocking at my door?
    Yes, Yes, Yes, I’ve heard that noise before
    Something’s creeping ‘cross the floor
    And it’s coming straight for me
    I hear it sighing, crying, like a moaning strain
    Something, something, you hide from in vain
    And it creeps into your brain like a groaning melody
    Like a groaning melody that is seeking sympathy

Chorus
Oh! that’s the ghost, of a ragtime melody
It starts to creep when you try to sleep
Close your eyes, don’t dare to peep
Oh! that’s the most that is left of a ragtime tune
You feel it floating through the air
You can hear it everywhere, moaning, groaning
Booh! Booh! Booh! Booh!
That’s the ghost of a rag

  1. Hear that, hear that mournful melody?
    Yes, Yes, Yes, It’s fading fast I see
    Some new rag us haunting
    And it keeps me wide awake, I fear it
    Sliding, gliding with a pleading swing
    Something, something,you can’t help but sing
    Sounding just like ev’rything
    That you’ve heard in days gone by
    That you’ve heard in days gone by
    That you’ve heard in days gone by

Sung here by Vancha March: