[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1913
Words by Frank Gray
Music by Robert Hampton
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Denese Coulbeck:
Lyrics
- Ragtime Sal and her ragtime pal
Went to a ball one night
Those high class coons were dancing ’round
Oh my, it was a sight
Now the ragtime band played a ragtime piece
And it certainly did sound swell
Says Sal to her pal, “That’s the dogin’ rag”
Then right before the crowd
Sal up and yelled
Chorus
You take your baby, do the igorote
Break away and do the turkey trot
Get over Sally kinda fall off the log
Then grab your baby and walk the dog
Sway your shoulders, honey, here and there
Hug up close and do the grizzly bear
Do that teddy and that mosy drag
When you dance the tune
That’s called the dogin’ rag
- Ragtime Sal and her ragtime pal
Were at a swell banquet
The way those swell coons tried to dance
It made Sal stew and fret
Now the music man played a ragtime tune
Sal began to reel and sway
Says Sal to her pal
They’re not dancin’ right
Then to these coons surprise
They heard Sal say