Berlin, who was Jewish, was one of the few Tin Pan Alley/Broadway songwriters who wrote both lyrics and music for his songs. Although he never learned to read music beyond a rudimentary level, he composed over 3,000 songs. Many of his songs, including "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", and "There's No Business Like Show Business," left an indelible mark on American music and culture. He produced 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores, in addition to his individual songs.
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Irving Berlin Lyrics
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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 want to 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
Come on and hear, come on and hear Alexander's Ragtime Band
Come on and hear, come on and hear Alexander's Ragtime Band
Come on and hear, come on and hear it's the best band in the land
They can play a bugle call like you never heard before
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, I'm talking about the man, 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 Alexander's Ragtime Band
Alexander's Ragtime Band
The lyrics to Irving Berlin's "Alexander's Ragtime Band" are a playful invitation to come and experience the music of the titular band, widely considered to be the best in the land. The song paints a vivid picture of the band's talents, from playing a bugle call with such natural ease that one feels compelled to go to war, to their ability to infuse even classic tunes like "Swanee River" with a ragtime twist. The song also puts the focus on the band's leader, the man who is responsible for the magic of the music.
Beyond its immediate catchy appeal, "Alexander's Ragtime Band" has come to be seen as one of the defining songs of the Ragtime era in American music, an influential style characterized by its syncopated rhythms and use of multiple layers of melody. It was a song that spoke to the optimism and energy of the time, with the promise of the best band in the land serving as a fitting metaphor for the sense of limitless possibility that was sweeping the nation.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on and hear, come on and hear Alexander's Ragtime Band
Listen to the music of Alexander's Ragtime Band
Come on and hear, come on and hear 'bout the best band in the land
Listen to the best band in the land which is Alexander's Ragtime Band
They can play a bugle call like you never heard before
The band is so good that they can play the bugle call in a unique and impressive way
So natural that you want to go to war
The music is so good that it easily inspires people to go to war
That's just the bestest band what am, oh honey lamb
This is the best band that exists, my dear
Come on along, come on along, let me take you by the hand
Come with me and let me guide you
Up to the man, up to the man who's the leader of the band
Let's meet the man who leads the band
And if you care to hear the Swanee River played in ragtime
If you're interested in hearing the Swanee River played in ragtime style
Come on and hear, come on and hear Alexander's Ragtime Band
Come and listen to the music of Alexander's Ragtime Band
Alexander's Ragtime Band
This is a song about Alexander's Ragtime Band
Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC
Written by: F. KARLIN, I. BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Amberly McConnaughey
33-year-old Wallace Henry Hartley, a violinist, was the bandleader on the Titanic. Hartley (left) had a fiancée in Boston Spa, near Wetherby in Yorkshire, and he had spent time with her before leaving on the Titanic. After the ship struck an iceberg, Wallace Hartley assembled his eight-man band, and they eventually ended up on the Boat Deck near the entrance to the Grand Staircase. There, they played ragtime and waltzes. Specifically, survivors reported them playing "Alexander's Ragtime Band" and "In the Shadows".
Siiri Cressey
Not Nearer My God To Thee?
Siiri Cressey
@Basil I'm not surprised. I don't think I'd have been paying a lot of attention to the music at that point, either.
Red Black
Thanks.
Marcatto
2:03 Is when Alexander's Ragtime Band begins in this medley
Greg Ruelas
I was wondering! Wait a second. This is "What'll I do."
MontseAntares
Bravo Greg !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sure you make fantastic !!!!
Douglas Chu
What a perfect combination of both melodies!
Bobby Wimsy
Swing it!!
Joana Marie Dougherty McGee
Thanks!