The Junk Man Rag

a popular song from 1913
words by Chris Smith and Ferd. E. Mierisch
music by C. Luckyth Roberts

An instrumental piano solo version of this song was published in 1914.


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by Jonathan Parks:


Lyrics

  1. Have you heard of Peter Jones
    The man who sells old rags and bones?
    When he’d holler “Rags” out loud
    He used to draw an awful crowd
    Ev’rybody knew when Pete was coming ‘long
    ‘Cause they all knew this song

Chorus
The Junkman Rag old Peter called it
The Junkman Rag
‘Cause it’s a honky a tonky drag
Now honest truly
The dance is bound to win you
Puts a lot of ginger in you
Junkman Rag will make a preacher a sway and swag
The tune’s a dandy
And ev’ry Ragtime tango couple
Hug like a bear and won’t unbuckle
When old Pete starts a playing that Rag so sweet
Ev’rybody is on their feet
The Turkey trotters glide, slide
Up to their partner’s side
To that melody that’s loaded down with harmony
Believe me I’m wild about that Junkman Rag

  1. Peter played a fiddle grand
    In fact, he was the “One-man Band”
    Peter he was mighty wise
    A Junkman’s trust he organized
    At each meeting Pete would make them jump and sway
    When he commenced to play

Sung here by Fred Feild: