Alexander's Ragtime Band
Jimmie Grier And His Orchestra Lyrics
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Come on and hear
Alexander's ragtime band
Come on and hear
Come on and hear
It's the best band in the land
Like you never heard before
So natural
That you want to go to war
That's just the best-est band, what am
Oh, my 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
Alexander's ragtime band
Come on and hear
Come on and hear
Alexander's modern band
Come on and hear
Come on and hear
It's the best band in the land
They can boo-ba-doo-da-doo-da-doo-doo-doo
That's just the best-est band, what am
Oh, my 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 cool time
Or if you wanna hear
The Swanee River played in the ragtime
Come on and hear
Come on and hear
Alexander's ragtime band
Alexander's ragtime band
The lyrics to Jimmie Grier And His Orchestra's song "Alexander's Ragtime Band" are an invitation to the listener to come and hear the band play. The band is described as the best in the land and the leader is singled out for special mention. The lyrics also reference the band's ability to play a bugle call that is so natural it makes one want to go to war. The reference to the Swanee River being played in ragtime shows that the band is capable of taking traditional music and giving it a new, modern twist.
The lyrics overall are a celebration of the power and appeal of music, particularly ragtime music. The chorus, with its repeated refrain of "Come on and hear, Alexander's ragtime band" is an invitation to the listener to experience the joy and energy of the band's music. The use of natural and warlike imagery further reinforces the idea that the band's music is powerful and exciting.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on and hear
The song invites you to come and listen
It's the best band in the land
Alexander's ragtime band is the finest music group around
They can play a bugle call
The band can create sounds from a bugle that you've never heard before
Like you never heard before
They are so talented that their bugle call is a brand new experience for the listener
So natural
The skill with which the band plays is effortless and appears instinctive
That you want to go to war
The band's music inspires you to feel like going off to battle
That's just the best-est band, what am
This band is fantastic and unmatched by any other musicians
Oh, my honey lamb
An endearing term of affection
Come on along
Join in on the fun
Let me take you by the hand
I'll guide you to where the band is playing
Up to the man
Let me introduce you to the bandleader
Who's the leader of the band
The head of the group who has organized their performance
And if you care to hear
If you're interested in listening...
The Swanee River played in ragtime
The band can play this iconic tune in their signature style
Alexander's modern band
The band has progressed to a more contemporary sound
They can boo-ba-doo-da-doo-da-doo-doo-doo
The band's unique sound is unmatched by any other
Or if you wanna hear
If you prefer...
The Swanee River played in cool time
The band can play this iconic tune in a more relaxed style
Alexander's ragtime band
The title of the song and name of the band
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind