Tiger Rag
New-Orleans Rhythm Kings Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hold that tiger
Hold that tiger
Hold that tiger
Hold that tiger
Hold that tiger
Hold that tiger
Hold that tiger
Where's that tiger?
Where's that tiger?
Where's that tiger?
Where's that tiger?
Where's that tiger?




Where's that tiger?
Where's that tiger?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Tiger Rag" by New Orleans Rhythm Kings, consists of repetitive phrases that talk about holding and finding a tiger. Upon first glance, the lyrics may seem nonsensical, but upon further understanding, they reveal an underlying meaning.


The "tiger" being referred to may be a metaphor for a wild and untamed energy - something that the performers are trying to capture and contain within their music. By constantly asking "Where's that tiger?" and then chanting "Hold that tiger," the band may be expressing their desire to capture the wildness of jazz music in their performance and to keep it going throughout the song.


Alternatively, the lyrics could be a reference to a popular dance move of the time called the Tiger Trot, in which dancers would imitate the movements of a tiger. The phrase "hold that tiger" could then be interpreted as a call to keep up the energetic dancing and maintain the momentum of the party.


In any case, the repetition of the lyrics and the boisterous nature of the music serve to convey a celebratory and lively atmosphere that invites listeners to join in the fun.


Line by Line Meaning

Hold that tiger
Maintain control and keep the energy going


Where's that tiger?
Where is the intense and exciting energy that we are looking for?




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Antonio Sbarro, Edwin Edwards, Henry Ragas, Larry Shields, Sidney Bechet

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Tal Sydney Lightbody

Damn, what a clarinet solo. That tone and vibrato are flawless

MrJimmienoone

What a wonderful tone and phrasing by Rappolo! It seems that nowadays, most trad jazz clarinetists know only one influence: George Lewis. They neglect such a wealth of different inspiration.

raffriff42

Such quality from an acoustic recording (I presume). Nice transfer too!

bob boscarato

Geniuses!

Jon Nelson

The first great jazz solo

tenorbanjo4

Please, the correct family name of Leon is Roppolo, not Rappolo. He was an italian american who emigrated to the USA when he was 12.

kerry fwolfe

This was the band that inspired Bix... and Jacques Tati .

ptm51

Nice!!

Marcel Misyura

nice
best jazz 2018

rafi1234321

Clarinet solo 1:16

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