1st verse:]

What did you do, America?

They're after you, America

You got excited and you started something

Nations jumping all around

You've got a lot to answer for

They lay the blame right at your door

The world is ragtime crazy from shore to shore



[chorus:]

London dropped its 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



[2nd verse:]

In every land, America

Most every band, America

Has started everybody dancing daily

Prancing gaily all around

There's syncopation in the air

They've got the fever everywhere

Each happy, snappy chappy cries "It's a bear