A syncopated, raggedy dance song, 1913. Title varies from “The International Rag” to “That International Rag”. Words and Music by Irving Berlin. Cover Art by E.H. Pfeiffer. Copyright ©12 August 1913 Also used in “ALEXANDER’S RAGTIME BAND,” 1938. Also used in “CALL ME MADAM.” 1953 film. Sheet Music from the collection of Michael Deatz.
Sheet Music
Accompaniment
Lyrics
Chorus
London dropped it’s dignity
So has France and Germany
All hands are dancing to a
Raggedy melody full of originality
The folks who live in sunny Spain
Dance to a strain that they call the Spanish Tango
Dukes and Lords and Russian Czars
Men who own their motor cars
Throw up their shoulders to that
Raggedy melody full of originality
Italian opera singers
Have learned to snap their fingers
The world goes ’round to the sound
Of the International Rag