Tiger Rag
Husk O'Hare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger ! Hold that tiger!
Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!
Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger?
Where oh where can he be?
Low or highbrow, they all cry now
"Please play that Tiger Rag for me"
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger ! Hold that tiger!
Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!
Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger?
Where oh where can he be?
Low or highbrow, they all cry now
"Please play that Tiger Rag for me"
The lyrics to Husk O'Hare's song, "Tiger Rag," are a celebration of the infectious musical energy and excitement that the ragtime style of music evokes. The repeated question of "where's that tiger?" is a play on words, as "tiger" was also slang for a person who was wild and energetic. The lyrics are encouraging the musicians to play with passion and fervor, to really embrace the spirit of the music and let it take hold.
The lines that follow - "choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him" - are a reflection of the physical exertion required to play this style of music. The musicians would have had to put their entire bodies into the performance, and the result would have been a wild, frenzied energy that was impossible to resist. When the lyrics ask "where oh where can he be?" they are really asking for the music to take over and transport them to another place, where they can fully experience the joy and excitement of the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Where is the power, energy and excitement that we need right now?
Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger ! Hold that tiger!
We need to capture and harness that energy and excitement.
Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!
We need to put in the effort and do whatever it takes to capture that energy.
Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger?
Where is the source of that power and energy?
Where oh where can he be?
We are searching and longing for that source of power and energy.
Low or highbrow, they all cry now
Everyone, regardless of their background, is longing for that energy.
"Please play that Tiger Rag for me"
We are begging for that source of excitement and energy to be unleashed.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY TIERNEY, JOSEPH JOE MC CARTHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tal Sydney Lightbody
Yes, the clarinetist is absolutely amazing. I knew the name of him, let me check my notes!
Jazz Crazy
Oh? Exciting! Yes - would love to know!
Tal Sydney Lightbody
@Jazz Crazy according to my notes it is the well known Leon Rapollo, but i’m pretty sure i’ve read it was someone else. I’m searching my files i write all this down
Jazz Crazy
@Tal Sydney Lightbody That would make sense - Rappolo was an extraordinary player! If correct, what would be striking about it is that this recording was made months before the first NORK record - when Rappolo was only nineteen! Too bad his pre-NORK work with Bee Palmer was not recorded - if this is any indication, he was a real musical force to be reckoned with even before making a name for himself with NORK.
AircraftEngines
Nevermind how loud it is, do yall hear that clarinet? That individual can play!
Jazz Crazy
Agreed!
Tal Sydney Lightbody
he’s the star of the whole show!!!!!! SHINE! As a fellow clarinetist this is so fun to play too, easy to get lost in his playing if you’re trying to mimic it! Almost puts Benny and Bigard and Noone to shame, IMO! His tone is immaculate!!
Tal Sydney Lightbody
I could go on and on haha😊
Canadian78sArchive
This sounds Electric! They must have been playing LOUD.
Jazz Crazy
You gotta play loud to catch that Tiger! 🐅