Maple Leaf Rag
Robert Stickland Lyrics
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I have no wealth to speak of 'cept de clothes upon my back
I can do the country hoe-down I can buck and wing to show down
And while I'm in the notion, just step back and watch my motion
Oh go 'way man, I can hypnotize dis nation
I can shake the earth's foundation wit' the Maple Leaf Rag
Oh go 'way man, just hold you breath a minute
I dropped into the swellest ball, the great exclusive it
But my face was dead agin me and my trousers didn't fit
But when Maple Leaf was started, my timidity departed
I lost my trepidation, you could taste the admiration
Oh go 'way man, I can hypnotize this nation
I can shake the earth's foundation wit' the Maple Leaf Rag
Oh go 'way man, just hold you breath a minute
For there's not a stunt that's in it with the Maple Leaf Rag
The men were struck wit' jealousy, the razors 'gan to flash
But de ladies gathered 'round me for I'd surely made a mash
The finest belle, she sent a boy to call a coach and four
We rode around a season 'till we both were lost to reason
Oh go 'way man, I can hypnotize this nation
I can shake the earth's foundation wit' the Maple Leaf Rag
Oh go 'way man, just hold you breath a minute
For there's not a stunt that's in it with the Maple Leaf Rag
The lyrics to Robert Strickland's song "Maple Leaf Rag" tell the story of a man who comes from a humble background in Virginia, with nothing but the clothes on his back. However, he is confident in his ability to dance and amaze audiences with his movements. The Maple Leaf Rag signifies a turning point for the singer - when the song starts playing, his timidity disappears, and he becomes the life of the party. His confidence becomes infectious, and he is able to attract the attention of the ladies and even win over his jealous male counterparts. The song concludes on a high note, with the singer having won both respect and admiration through his dancing skills.
Line by Line Meaning
I came from ole Virginy from the county Acomac
I hail from Virginia, specifically from the county of Acomac.
I have no wealth to speak of 'cept de clothes upon my back
I don't have any significant possessions apart from the clothes that I'm wearing.
I can do the country hoe-down I can buck and wing to show down
I'm capable of dancing the country hoe-down and performing the buck and wing to show down.
And while I'm in the notion, just step back and watch my motion
And while I feel inclined to, just step back and observe my movements.
Oh go 'way man, I can hypnotize dis nation
Oh, leave me alone man, I can mesmerize this nation.
I can shake the earth's foundation wit' the Maple Leaf Rag
I can cause such a commotion with my rendition of Maple Leaf Rag that it can shake the earth's foundation.
For there's not a stunt that's in it with the Maple Leaf Rag
For there's no performance that can compare to Maple Leaf Rag.
I dropped into the swellest ball, the great exclusive it
I attended the most prestigious and exclusive ball.
But my face was dead agin me and my trousers didn't fit
But my disheveled appearance made me feel out of place and my trousers didn't fit me properly.
But when Maple Leaf was started, my timidity departed
But when Maple Leaf Rag began playing, my nervousness disappeared.
I lost my trepidation, you could taste the admiration
I overcame my fear and people could feel the admiration for my skills.
The men were struck wit' jealousy, the razors 'gan to flash
The men were envious of me and some even drew their razors in anger.
But de ladies gathered 'round me for I'd surely made a mash
But the ladies flocked to me as I had made quite an impression on them.
The finest belle, she sent a boy to call a coach and four
The most beautiful woman present sent a boy to fetch me a coach and four.
We rode around a season 'till we both were lost to reason
We rode around for a while until we both lost our sanity to the tempo of Maple Leaf Rag.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SYDNEY KEITH RUSSELL, SCOTT JOPLIN, JULE STYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind