Alexander's Ragtime Band
Bing Crosby feat. Connee Boswell Lyrics


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Come on and hear, come on and hear
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Come on and hear, come on and hear
'Bout the best band in the land
They can play a bugle call like you never heard before
So natural that you wanna go to war
That's just the bestest band what am, oh Honey Lamb
Come on along, come on along
Let me take you by the hand
Up to the man, up to the man
Who's the leader of the band
And if you care to hear the Swanee River played in ragtime
Come on and hear, come on and hear
Come on and hear, come on and hear
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Come on and hear, come on and hear
Come on and hear, come on and hear
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Come on and hear, well here I come
Come on and hear, I'm standin' right here
It's the best band in the land
They can play a bugle call like you never heard before
Whistle, that's just the bestest band what am, oh Honey Lamb
Come on along, come on along
Come on along, come on along
Let me take you by the hand, here's my lily whites
Up to the man, the mighty man
I'm talkin' 'bout the man, mm, the leader of the band
And if you care to hear that Swanee River played in ragtime
Come on and hear, come on and hear




Come on and hear, come on and hear
Alexander's Ragtime Band, Alexander's Ragtime Band

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bing Crosby feat. Connee Boswell's song Alexander's Ragtime Band describe the titular band as the best in the land, with an ability to play a bugle call like no other band before them. The singer invites the listener to come along and hear them play, taking them to meet the band's leader. The lyrics also mention the band's ability to play the Swanee River in ragtime, inviting the listener to come and hear them do it.


Overall, the lyrics are an invitation to experience the joy and energy of ragtime music, as played by Alexander's Ragtime Band. The repeated refrain of "come on and hear" emphasizes the importance of hearing this music, rather than just reading or talking about it. The reference to the Swanee River is significant because that song is considered a classic of American folk music, and the combination of that melody with the syncopated rhythms of ragtime reflects the fusion of different musical traditions that characterized the era.


Line by Line Meaning

Come on and hear, come on and hear
Join us and listen up


Alexander's Ragtime Band
We are introducing the band called Alexander's Ragtime Band


Come on and hear, come on and hear
Join us and listen up


'Bout the best band in the land
We are talking about the best band in the country


They can play a bugle call like you never heard before
This band is so good that they can play the bugle call like you have never heard before


So natural that you wanna go to war
The band's music is so captivating that it makes you feel like going to war


That's just the bestest band what am, oh Honey Lamb
This band is simply the best


Come on along, come on along
Follow us and join in


Let me take you by the hand
Let me guide you to where the band is playing


Up to the man, up to the man
Let's go up to the leader of the band


Who's the leader of the band
We are talking about the leader of Alexander's Ragtime Band


And if you care to hear the Swanee River played in ragtime
If you're interested in hearing the Swanee River played differently


Come on and hear, come on and hear
Join us and listen up


Come on and hear, come on and hear
Join us and listen up


Alexander's Ragtime Band
The band we are talking about is Alexander's Ragtime Band


Come on and hear, come on and hear
Join us and listen up


Come on and hear, come on and hear
Join us and listen up


Alexander's Ragtime Band
The band we are talking about is Alexander's Ragtime Band


Come on and hear, well here I come
I'm inviting you to listen to the band


Come on and hear, I'm standin' right here
I'm here waiting for you to come listen


It's the best band in the land
This is the best band in the country


They can play a bugle call like you never heard before
This band can play the bugle call like never before


Whistle, that's just the bestest band what am, oh Honey Lamb
Believe me, this is the best band ever


Come on along, come on along
Follow us and join in


Come on along, come on along
Follow us and join in


Let me take you by the hand, here's my lily whites
Let me guide you to the band with my hands, which are white like lilies


Up to the man, the mighty man
Let's go up to the leader of the band


I'm talkin' 'bout the man, mm, the leader of the band
I'm referring to the leader of Alexander's Ragtime Band


And if you care to hear that Swanee River played in ragtime
If you're interested in hearing the Swanee River played differently


Come on and hear, come on and hear
Join us and listen up


Come on and hear, come on and hear
Join us and listen up


Alexander's Ragtime Band
The band we are talking about is Alexander's Ragtime Band




Writer(s): IRVING BERLIN, MARK HAYES

Contributed by Chase E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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