[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1912.
Words and music by E. Ray Goetz, Irving Berlin and A. Baldwin Sloane.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
1. Last week when Alexander McIntosh
Returned from a trip to Yankee Land
He got a half a dozen pipers with their bagpipes
And organized a band
He brought back with him a Yankee tune
That was written all about a coon
Now he’s playing it, crowds hurraying it
Because he plays it grand, you understand
You understand that it’s a bagpipe, ragpipe band
Chorus
Come on and hear the bagpipes raggin’ up a tune
In Alexander’s bagpipe band
Come on and see McPherson acting like a coon
In Alexander’s bagpipe band
Sandy McGregor is a ragtime Scot
Come see him do the Hieland Turkey Trot
The only ragtime Scotchman in the land
Come on and see the lassies kicking up their kilties
When they do a ragtime fling
Come on and hear the piper’s play a Scotish rag
And hear the crowds begin to sing
Should auld acquaintance be forgot on the Swanee River
Come on along and take your lassie by the hand
To Alexander’s bagpipe band
2. Ragtime was never meant for Scotchman
Just the same, Mister Alexander knows
Just how to play it till you feel as if a highball
Was going to your toes
Come and hear the lassies all declare
Hoot mon, Sandy, it’s a Hielan’ Bear
On the heather they Dance together
With a Yankee Ragime air
Come on along, come on along
You’ll see the Scotch Bon-buddys there