What did you do, America?
They're after you, America
You got excited and you started something
Nations jumping all around
You've got a lot to answer for
They lay the blame right at your door
The world is ragtime crazy from shore to shore

[chorus:]
London dropped its dignity
So has France and Germany
All hands are dancing to a raggedy melody
Full of originality
The folks who live in sunny Spain
Dance to a strain
That they call the Spanish Tango
Dukes and Lords and Russian Czars
Men who own their motor cars
Throw up their shoulders to that raggedy melody
Full of originality
Italian opera singers have learned to snap their fingers
The world goes 'round to the sound of the International Rag

[2nd verse:]
In every land, America
Most every band, America
Has started everybody dancing daily
Prancing gaily all around
There's syncopation in the air
They've got the fever everywhere
Each happy, snappy chappy cries "It's a bear