Historic Sheet Music Collection

Authors

Irving Berlin

Document Type

Score

Publication Date

1912

Comments

The Ragtime Jockey Man

Words and Music by Irving Berlin

New York: Waterson, Berlin, & Snyder Co. (1912)

Some of these resources may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes. Such materials should be seen in the context of the time period and as a reflection of attitudes of the time. The items are part of the historical record, and do not represent the views of the library or the institution.

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Down upon the track,
On a horse’s back,
Warming up his fingers, sits the ragtime jockey.
Smile upon his face,
Ready for the race,
In his colors so gay.
See ‘em spread apart,
Now they’re goin to start;
Kindly keep an eye upon the ragtime jockey.
Never mind your cold, don’t stop to cough,
They’re off!

[Chorus]
Go, go, go, go,
I’ve got a bet upon you,
Go, go, go, go,
I’m betting heavy on you;
Pop, giddyup, giddyup, giddyup,
Like I know you can.
Run, run, run, run,
And leave the rest behind you,
Run, run, run, run,
Don’t ever let ‘em find you,
I’ll bet a swag on the ragtime jockey man.

[Verse 2]
Hear the people yell,
“Someone surely fell!”
“Did I hear you say it was the ragtime jockey?”
Sure enough, you’re right,
See me turning white,
All my money is gone!
“No it isn’t, Boss!
See, he’s on his hoss;
He was only kidding all the other jockeys;
he’s just playing with them like a toy,
Good boy!”

[Chorus]

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The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.