[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A song and chorus from 1898
Words and music by Armstrong Bros.
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. There's a wench that's raising Cain
And dey call her "Ragtime Jane"
She's got the coons all hypnotized
Around here, now that's plain
For she walks and talks "Rag-Time"
She does the real coon-jine
The pigs all sigh, you'll hear dem cry
When Jane comes down the line
Chorus:
"Here comes that lady with the ragtime walk"
You''ll hear them coons all say
The lady with the "ragtime" talk
Is a comin' down this way
She's got all the coons around insane
They've all got "ragtime" on the brain
For a dead swell gal is Liza Jane
De wench with the "ragtime" walk
2. At a cake walk she excels
All the other colored belles
The wenches black, from her get back
She captures all the swells
When the colored belles turn out
She's the "Queen" without a doubt
As dark as night, dressed out of sight
You'll hear them coons all about