[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1910.
Words by Earle C. Jones.
Music by May Aufderheide.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Annabelle Green I’m sore at that Cubanola glide
Those tunes you play will surely drive me to suicide
That raggy “Spring Song” that poor Mendelsohn wrote has died
Oh what a shame to steal a dead man’s tune
When I want opera I’ll go hear Il Trovitore
But it ain’t sung in rag or I would be awful sore
If you must play a rag or a St. Louie drag
Play something new for this coon
Chorus
Play a rag that is new and I’ll be proud of you
If you don’t I’ll skiddoo in a minute or two
Put those rags on the shelf, write a new one yourself
Then of you I will sure have to brag
If you really must play, write a new Bombashay
With a wiggle and sway, then I can’t stay away
Oh my sweet honey Bun, own lovin’ one
Play a totally different rag
2. Annabelle Green the way you rag them old melodies
Just makes me think you’ll surely bust them piano keys
Why don’t you try to play some classical symphonies
Then, honey dear, you’ll please your turtle dove
You play so hard I ‘spect to see the piano bust
If you must rag, just get a rag and wipe off the dust
Play a sweet chord in “E”, write me a rag in “Z”
Then you will show whom you love