[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A WWI song from 1918.
Words by Bernie Grossman.
Music by Billy Winkle.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Here they come, here they come
Don’t they look grand
Hear that drum, hear that drum
That’s the regiment band
Oh! can’t they play, can’t they play
That sure is sweet, can’t keep still
‘Gainst your will you have to move your feet
They’re leaving Dixieland today
They’re goin’ to take part in the fray
Chorus
When Uncle Joe steps into France
With his ragtime band from Dixieland
See the Soldiers swaying
When Uncle Joe starts playing
A raggy ditty, so sweet and pretty
When they play the Memphis blues
They will use a lot of shoes
And fill them full of Darky gin
They’ll rag their way right to Berlin
When Uncle Joe steps into France
With his ragtime regiment band
2. Watch them step, watch them step
Each man in line
Full of pep, full of pep
See their faces shine
Oh! ev’ry one has a gun
And they can shoot
And you’ll find
Each one has a razor in his boot
Those sons of Ham are feeling fit
They’re goin’ to cut up quite a bit
Chorus
When Uncle Joe steps into France
With his ragtime band from Dixieland
See the Soldiers swaying
When Uncle Joe starts playing
A raggy ditty, so sweet and pretty
When they play the Memphis blues
They will use a lot of shoes
They’ll die when they see sloe foot Mose
All dressed up in soldier clothes
When Uncle Joe steps into France
With his ragtime regiment band
Chorus
When Uncle Joe steps into France
With his ragtime band from Dixieland
See the Soldiers swaying
When Uncle Joe starts playing
A raggy ditty, so sweet and pretty
When they play the Memphis blues
They will use a lot of shoes
Just let them hear a chicken yell
Those boys will march where I can’t tell
When Uncle Joe steps into France
With his ragtime regiment band