Tiger Rag
Red Devils; Salty Dog Four Lyrics


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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"

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"

Overall Meaning

The song Tiger Rag by Red Devils; Salty Dog Four is a classic jazz tune that has been covered by countless artists over the years. The lyrics of the song celebrate the energy and excitement of jazz music, with the repeated refrain of "Where's that tiger!" serving as a rallying cry for musicians and fans alike.


The lines "Hold that tiger! Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!" are a reference to the practice of "ragging" or improvising in jazz music. In the early days of jazz, musicians would often play off of each other's solos, throwing in unexpected notes and rhythms to keep the music fresh and exciting. The "tiger" in the song represents this spirit of creativity and unpredictability, and the call to "hold that tiger" is a plea to musicians to keep the music lively and dynamic.


The final lines of the song, "Low or highbrow, they all cry now / 'Please play that Tiger Rag for me,'" speak to the universal appeal of jazz music. Whether you're a sophisticated music lover or just someone looking to have a good time, the energy and excitement of a good jazz performance is something that can be appreciated by everyone.


Line by Line Meaning

Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Where is the vibrant and energetic spirit that we are looking for?


Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger ! Hold that tiger!
Let us preserve and nurture that spirit so it doesn't fade away.


Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!
We will do whatever it takes to keep that spirit alive and thriving.


Where oh where can he be?
We are eagerly searching for that elusive spirit to ignite our hearts and souls.


Low or highbrow, they all cry now
Regardless of social status or background, everyone is calling out for that same spirit.


"Please play that Tiger Rag for me"
Let that spirit be expressed through the music of this song, and let us all revel in its energy and vitality.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY TIERNEY, JOSEPH JOE MC CARTHY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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