Cakewalk Courtin' (early 1900s)

Kaelith

My Voice - Sep 4

Kaelith

ragtime, early-1900s

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[Verse 1 – light stride left-hand, right-hand sparkle]  
He’s tipped his straw boater and given a stare,  
She’s twirlin’ her parasol, lace at her throat so fair.  
A wink from the bandstand, a bright little note,  
Banjo starts jumpin’ and the whole square’s afloat!  
[Short banjo break – “razz-ma-tazz” cascade]

[Chorus – full band, strong cakewalk bounce]  
Oh, cakewalk courtin’, ragtime romance,  
Two-step and spin under July’s bright glance!  
“You’re the sweetest confection this side of the tide—”  
Syncopate, celebrate, take her for a ride!  
[Hand-claps on the backbeat + brass stab]

[Verse 2 – piano walks the bass, banjo answers every line]  
“Say, Miss, you’re a vision in gingham and blue—  
Would you care for a two-step? Just one, maybe two?”  
She laughs like a nickelodeon reel spinnin’ fast,  
“Why, sir, you’re a dandy—but mind how you last!”  
[Call-and-response: piano “asks,” banjo “answers”]

[Chorus – bigger, with shout-along feel]  
Oh, cakewalk courtin’, ragtime romance,  
Two-step and spin under July’s bright glance!  
“You’re the sweetest confection this side of the tide—”  
Syncopate, celebrate, take her for a ride!  
[Brass stabs + banjo roll into the break]

[Bridge – pure banjo break, then hand-claps & foot-stomps]  
Feet start a-flyin’, ribbons go dancin’,  
Grin goes so wide while the brass band’s entrancin’!  
She taps out the rhythm right back on his shoe—  
“You’re bold as a brass band, but charming, it’s true!”

[Verse 3 – stride piano builds, soft brass pads underneath]  
“If you buy me an ice cream and walk me home slow,  
I might let you call on me—next Sunday, you know!”  
The cakewalk is endin’, the crowd starts to cheer,  
He’s doffin’ his hat with a “See you next year!”  
[Banjo “wink” fill – little descending run]

[Final Chorus – full-throttle shout chorus, everyone in]  
Oh, cakewalk courtin’, ragtime romance,  
Two-step and spin under July’s bright glance!  
She’s hummin’ that refrain, and both of them know—  
He’ll be back once again when the banjos start to go!  
[Big final brass hit + banjo flourish]

[Outro – stride piano winds down, banjo plays the last “tick-tock”]  
Tick-tock… tip that hat… see you at the square!  
[Final soft banjo chord – fade with a playful “razz!”]

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[Intro – bright stride piano riff, banjo plucks on the off-beats] Tick-tock of the trolley, sun on the square— Hats tippin’, skirts swishin’, music in the air! [Banjo fill – syncopated cascade] [Verse 1 – light stride left-hand, right-hand sparkle] He’s tipped his straw boater and given a stare, She’s twirlin’ her parasol, lace at her throat so fair. A wink from the bandstand, a bright little note, Banjo starts jumpin’ and the whole square’s afloat! [Short banjo break – “razz-ma-tazz” cascade] [Chorus – full band, strong cakewalk bounce] Oh, cakewalk courtin’, ragtime romance, Two-step and spin under July’s bright glance! “You’re the sweetest confection this side of the tide—” Syncopate, celebrate, take her for a ride! [Hand-claps on the backbeat + brass stab] [Verse 2 – piano walks the bass, banjo answers every line] “Say, Miss, you’re a vision in gingham and blue— Would you care for a two-step? Just one, maybe two?” She laughs like a nickelodeon reel spinnin’ fast, “Why, sir, you’re a dandy—but mind how you last!” [Call-and-response: piano “asks,” banjo “answers”] [Chorus – bigger, with shout-along feel] Oh, cakewalk courtin’, ragtime romance, Two-step and spin under July’s bright glance! “You’re the sweetest confection this side of the tide—” Syncopate, celebrate, take her for a ride! [Brass stabs + banjo roll into the break] [Bridge – pure banjo break, then hand-claps & foot-stomps] Feet start a-flyin’, ribbons go dancin’, Grin goes so wide while the brass band’s entrancin’! She taps out the rhythm right back on his shoe— “You’re bold as a brass band, but charming, it’s true!” [Verse 3 – stride piano builds, soft brass pads underneath] “If you buy me an ice cream and walk me home slow, I might let you call on me—next Sunday, you know!” The cakewalk is endin’, the crowd starts to cheer, He’s doffin’ his hat with a “See you next year!” [Banjo “wink” fill – little descending run] [Final Chorus – full-throttle shout chorus, everyone in] Oh, cakewalk courtin’, ragtime romance, Two-step and spin under July’s bright glance! She’s hummin’ that refrain, and both of them know— He’ll be back once again when the banjos start to go! [Big final brass hit + banjo flourish] [Outro – stride piano winds down, banjo plays the last “tick-tock”] Tick-tock… tip that hat… see you at the square! [Final soft banjo chord – fade with a playful “razz!”]

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