Lyr Req: Ragtime Millionaire (William Moore)

Subject: Ragtime Millionaire
From: GUEST,Rag
Date: 22 Mar 01 - 08:00 AM

I'm looking for the lyrics of Ragtime Millionaire which I think was recorded way back by Willie Moore. It was covered by John James but the lyrics were far from complete. Anyone know them?

Subject: Lyr Add: RAGTIME MILLIONAIRE (William Moore)
From: Quincy
Date: 22 Mar 01 - 10:21 AM

Here you go Rag..I think!

RAGTIME MILLIONAIRE

[William Moore, 1928]

Now, you don't need no ticket, don't need no dough,
Just find yourself a corner and give'm a show.
Make it sound so good, the people in the town
Will leave their betsies a-wabbling down.
Tellin' all the little people, "Take your hat off for me—
I'm a ragtime millionaire!

Now, hear me syncopate it, shuffle it and pick it up slow,
Then bring back around and around I go,
Swingin' it easy, in two-four time,
I'm flush, I'm loaded and I ain't got a dime.
Now all you little people, take your hat off for me—
I'm a ragtime millionaire.

CHORUS

Oh, I'm a rag, yes, I'm a rag.
Oh, I'm a rag, I'm a ragtime millionaire.
Now all you little people, take your hat off for me—
I'm a ragtime millionaire!

BREAK

Now, see me playin' in the street, a feather in my hat,
Everybody's sayin' "Now, who is that?
I'm a-ringin' those strings for all to hear—
Yes, I'm that ragtime millionaire!
Now, all you little people, take your hat off for me—
I'm a ragtime millionaire.

CHORUS
BREAK
REPEAT FIRST VERSE
CHORUS


Downloads available on this page.

best wishes, Yvonne

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ragtime Millionaire
From: MMario
Date: 22 Mar 01 - 10:43 AM

found a midi of the guitar chords but not the melody...drat.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ragtime Millionaire
From: GUEST,Seth in China
Date: 23 Mar 01 - 03:24 AM

Those of you lucky enough to find Baby Gramps at the Pike Place Market in Seattle may be able to hear the greatest version of this song ever not recorded. Having said that, I hope he is well and still performing. Also, I don't know if anything by him has been recorded. Baby Gramps is what makes America great. Does anyone know of him and what he is doing?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ragtime Millionaire
From: GUEST,Rag
Date: 23 Mar 01 - 08:02 AM

Thanks. Been looking for ages. Must try this again.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ragtime Millionaire
From: wes.w
Date: 23 Mar 01 - 09:42 AM

Picky,picky....
This is one of the songs that regularly pops up in my head, but I only know the chorus, and I've heard the original and John James. But my brain sings:

Now, all you little people, throw(fling?)your hats in the air
'cos I'm a ragtime millionaire.

sorry... but it rhymes better don't it? ...wes

Subject: Lyr Add: RAGTIME MILLIONAIRE (William Moore)
From: GUEST,O.V. Michaelsen (Ove Ofteness)
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 02:45 AM

That was my earliest take on that tune, copied and pasted without attribution. Thanks. :/

This is a more recent version.

RAGTIME MILLIONAIRE
(Songwriter: )

(Played in G, or the G formation)

Now, I'll just find myself a corner and I'll pick 'em a song,
Nobody needs a ticket, and it wouldn't be long.
With a little guitar to maybe tickle a bone,
I'm a sidewalk star and you let it be known.
Well, all ya little people, take your hat off to me--
I'm a ragtime millionaire.

Now, hear me syncopate it, shuffle it, or pick it up slow,
I bring back around and I'm ridin' the flow,
Swingin' it easy, in two-four time,
I'm flush, I'm a-loaded, and I ain't got a dime.
Now, all ya little people, take your hat off to me--
I'm a ragtime millionaire.

BREAK (MELODY OF THE CHORUS)

See me playin' on the corner with a feather in my hat,
I'm a holy-shoed and ragged shirt aristocrat.
Hear me rollin' the strings, it's a knack, it's a flair,
Well, I'm one ragtime millionaire.
Now, all ya little people, take your hat off to me--
I'm a ragged-time millionaire.

CHORUS

Well, I'm a rag, yes I'm a rag.
Well, I'm a rag, yes, I'm a ragtime millionaire,
So all ya little people take your hat off to me--
I'm a ragtime millionaire.

INSTRUMENTAL ENDING
_

Wrote Internet user "Bunker Hill":

Moore's song is actually a parody (using the same tune and title) of Irving Jones's 1900 hit "'The' Ragtime Millionaire."
Jones was a very popular and successful black composer (c.1895-1905).

A loose version of the song is available on one of my sites:
http://www.isound.com/ov_michaelsen_singer_songwriter_guitarist_aut

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ragtime Millionaire
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 02:58 PM

Two previous threads:
Lyr Req: Ragtime Millionaire (William Moore)
Lyr Req: Ragtime Millionaire

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ragtime Millionaire
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jul 10 - 02:34 PM

It pays to be a bit picky, if it doesn't come across as being self-consciously concise.

Wes.w, you make me think, and I LOVE that.

We need a rhyme for "millionaire" to be consistent with the lines.

I didn't like "all you LITTLE people, nor that rhymeless line, and changed it to Verse 1: "Hear me playin' for the people any time anyWHERE; Verse 2: "Just playin' for the people..."; Verse 3, after the break: Hear me playing for the people..."; and the closing chorus: "I'll be playin' for the people..."

Yeah, that's better. d:)
_

http://www.isound.com/ov_michaelsen_singer_songwriter_guitarist_aut

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ragtime Millionaire
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 15 Jul 10 - 09:38 AM

For a recent recording (and better still, see them live) See The Ragtime Jug Orchestra (http://www.ragtimejug.co.uk/index.html)

RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ragtime Millionaire
From: Amos
Date: 15 Jul 10 - 10:01 AM

The Ragtime Jug Orchestra

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ragtime Millionaire
From: GUEST,Ove Ofteness - O.V. Michaelsen
Date: 18 Jul 10 - 02:47 AM

Of course, those are just the lyrics. The joy of it is really in the guitar playing.

Thank you, Roger and Amos. ~

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ragtime Millionaire
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 01:42 PM

This is the version of mine that I ended up with.

RAGTIME MILLIONAIRE

(Played in G, or the G formation.)

Now, I'll just find myself a corner and I'll pick 'em a song,
Nobody needs a ticket, and it wouldn't be long.
With a little guitar, to maybe tickle a bone,
I'm a sidewalk star, and you let it be known.
Well, all ya little people, take your hat off to me--
I'm a ragtime millionaire.

Now, hear me syncopate it, shuffle it, or pick it up slow,
I bring back around, and I'm ridin' the flow,
Swingin' it easy, in two-four time,
I'm flush, I'm a-loaded, and I ain't got a dime.
Now, all ya little people, take your hat off to me--
I'm a ragtime millionaire.

BREAK (MELODY OF THE CHORUS)

See me playin' on the corner with a feather in my hat,
I'm a holy-shoed and ragged shirt aristocrat.
Hear me rollin' the strings, it's a knack, it's a flair,
Well, I'm one ragtime millionaire.
Now, all ya little people, take your hat off to me--
I'm a ragged-time millionaire.

CHORUS

Well, I'm a rag, yes, I'm a rag.
Well, I'm a rag, yes, I'm a rag time millionaire,
So all ya little people, take your hat off to me--
I'm a ragtime millionaire.

INSTRUMENTAL ENDING