A popular song from 1919.
Words by Richard Coburn.
Music by Vincent Rose.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- I saw the biggest orchestra the other day
When they began to play it took my breath away
Ten thousand men all playing
The grandest music ever heard in this old U. S. A.
They only use one instrument in this whole band
And there’s no leader with a baton in his hand
Why they don’t even keep time
And yet the melody is known thru-out the land
Chorus
They play a rag that’s new
It will appeal to you
A mighty pleasin’ refrain
It’s got a jazzy sway
That carries you away
You’ll want to hear it again
And when you’ve heard it thru
You’ll zigzig, Rat-tat-tat Tat-tat-tat
Rat-tat-tat Tat-tat-tat
Down at the shipyards
It’s called the Riveter’s Rag
- Now every morning
When you hear the whistles blow
You’ll have to hurry so
You’ll hear them start the show
No need of their rehearsing
Because there’s only just one
Snappy tune they have to know
Their harmony is surely pleasin’ to the ear
Yet if you’re standing near
Sometimes it’s hard to hear
This orchestra’s been playing
This noisy melody for just about a year
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: