The items in the Digital Collections of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Library contain materials which represent or depict sensitive topics or were written from perspectives using outdated or biased language. The Library condemns discrimination and hatred on any grounds. As a research library that supports the mission and values of this land grant institution, it is incumbent upon the University Library to preserve, describe, and provide access to materials to accurately document our past, support learning about it, and effect change in the present. In accordance with the American Library Association’s Freedom to Read statement, we do not censor our materials or prevent patrons from accessing them.
When The Kaiser Does The Goose-step To A Good Old American Rag - Lyrics
Composer
Neander, Harold
Lyricist
Frost, Jack
Publisher
Frank K. Root & Co.
Place of Publication
Chicago (Ill.)
Lyrics
When the Kaiser Does the Goose-Step to a Good Old American Rag Verse: There are lots of places where I’d like to be, and many, many sights that I would surely like to see
But the greatest thing in all the world to give a man a thrill, Is surely going to happen when the Yanks get Kaiser Bill. They’ll make him dance for fair, and I’d sure like to be there. Refrain: When the Kaiser does the goose-step to a good old American rag, They’ll play it jerky and make Bill “walk turkey” and salute our grand old flag. He’ll be wiser when he two-steps to the songs of Yankeeland, Or foxtrots to a good old Dixie tune (make it soon, make it soon). There’ll be a jazz band from Dixie, and Bill won’t dare say “Nixie,” When the Yankees say, “Come William, dance that drag!” Alexander’s band from Tennessee will be there to play the music for the jubilee, When Kaiser does the goose-step to a good old American rag. Verse: Sousa’s band will be right there to lead that dance, “The Stars and Stripes Forever” wil
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Original Location
Record Series 12/9/96
Series 2, Box 22, Folder 3
Local Identifier
2014_12996_791
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
When the Kaiser Does the Goose-step to a Good Old American Rag
Composer
Neander, Harold
Lyricist
Frost, Jack
Publisher
Frank K. Root & Co.
Place of Publication
Chicago (Ill.)
Year of Publication
1917
Date of Copyright
1917-10-22
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2–3, [1] p.)
Comment
Although this song was advertised from December 1917 through March 1919, it had little impact in the entertainment world. In instrumental arrangements and amateur performances, however, it was moderately popular throughout this period.
Billed as a “one-step” in instrumental arrangements (but marked “allegretto” in the vocal score), this comic novelty incorporates ragtime and stop-time rhythms and extensive chromatic inflections. Textual references to Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever”, the Six Brown Brothers, “Alexander’s [ragtime] band”, and “Dixie” are not realized by musical quotations, though “Yankee Doodle” appears briefly in the refrain.
Subject - Topic
Ragtime music
William II, German Emperor, 1859-1941 -- Songs and music.
Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.
World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music
Lyrics
But the greatest thing in all the world to give a man a thrill, Is surely going to happen when the Yanks get Kaiser Bill. They’ll make him dance for fair And I’d sure like to be there. [Refrain] When the Kaiser does the goose-step to a good old American rag, They’ll play it jerky and make Bill “walk turkey” and salute our grand old flag. He’ll be wiser when he two-steps to the songs of Yankeeland, Or foxtrots to a good old Dixie tune (make it soon, make it soon). There’ll be a jazz band from Dixie, And Bill won’t dare say “Nixie,” When the Yankees say, “Come William, dance that drag!” Alexander’s band from Tennessee Will be there to play the music for the jubilee, When Kaiser does the goose-step to a good old American rag. [Verse] Sousa’s band will be right there to lead that dance, “The Stars and Stripes Forever” will be played for Willie’s prance, Six Brown Brothers will fill the air with their big saxophones, Imagine William’s feelings when he hears their pleading tones! He’ll dance till they get thro’, And they’ll make him like it too. [Refrain]
When the Kaiser Does the Goose-Step to a Good Old American Rag [Verse] There are lots of places where I’d like to be And many, many sights that I would surely like to see
Musical Genre
Ragtime
One-step
Novelty song
Comic song
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Cover Description
unsigned.
surrounded by monkey with drum UL, clowns with saxophones (resembling Six Brown Brothers) UR, bandmaster (resembling Sousa), music stand and music and brass player BR, and soldiers with rifles BL, bayonets affixed, poking Wilhelm. Blue (sometimes green), red, and black on white
When the Kaiser Does the Goose-step to a Good Old American Rag
Composer
Neander, Harold
Lyricist
Frost, Jack
Publisher
Frank K. Root & Co.
Place of Publication
Chicago (Ill.)
Year of Publication
1917
Date of Copyright
1917-10-22
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2–3, [1] p.)
Comment
Although this song was advertised from December 1917 through March 1919, it had little impact in the entertainment world. In instrumental arrangements and amateur performances, however, it was moderately popular throughout this period.
Billed as a “one-step” in instrumental arrangements (but marked “allegretto” in the vocal score), this comic novelty incorporates ragtime and stop-time rhythms and extensive chromatic inflections. Textual references to Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever”, the Six Brown Brothers, “Alexander’s [ragtime] band”, and “Dixie” are not realized by musical quotations, though “Yankee Doodle” appears briefly in the refrain.
Subject - Topic
Ragtime music
William II, German Emperor, 1859-1941 -- Songs and music.
Popular music -- United States -- 1911-1920.
World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music
Lyrics
But the greatest thing in all the world to give a man a thrill, Is surely going to happen when the Yanks get Kaiser Bill. They’ll make him dance for fair And I’d sure like to be there. [Refrain] When the Kaiser does the goose-step to a good old American rag, They’ll play it jerky and make Bill “walk turkey” and salute our grand old flag. He’ll be wiser when he two-steps to the songs of Yankeeland, Or foxtrots to a good old Dixie tune (make it soon, make it soon). There’ll be a jazz band from Dixie, And Bill won’t dare say “Nixie,” When the Yankees say, “Come William, dance that drag!” Alexander’s band from Tennessee Will be there to play the music for the jubilee, When Kaiser does the goose-step to a good old American rag. [Verse] Sousa’s band will be right there to lead that dance, “The Stars and Stripes Forever” will be played for Willie’s prance, Six Brown Brothers will fill the air with their big saxophones, Imagine William’s feelings when he hears their pleading tones! He’ll dance till they get thro’, And they’ll make him like it too. [Refrain]
When the Kaiser Does the Goose-Step to a Good Old American Rag [Verse] There are lots of places where I’d like to be And many, many sights that I would surely like to see
Musical Genre
Ragtime
One-step
Novelty song
Comic song
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Cover Description
unsigned.
surrounded by monkey with drum UL, clowns with saxophones (resembling Six Brown Brothers) UR, bandmaster (resembling Sousa), music stand and music and brass player BR, and soldiers with rifles BL, bayonets affixed, poking Wilhelm. Blue (sometimes green), red, and black on white