The song recorded by Red Foley in or around 1953 was a modern takeoff on a dance that had been around for decades. It was most likely danced to the song "Salty Dog" which was one of the early jazz-and-blues players' favorites. Vernon and Irene Castle "dumbed down" the dance in or about 1915 so that it would be accessible to the dancing public; this version became the Castle Schottische, which is still encountered occasionally in vintage dance circles. Perhaps the most intricate version of the dance now known as Salty Dog Rag was to be found in New Haven, Connecticut, where the local folk dance group (early '90's) threw in numerous swing-shag-Charleston conbinations, not to mentiion a triple pirouette! Numerous alternate versions of the lyrics abound. Neither the music nor the words as sung by Red Foley have ever been published!!!