Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Irving Berlin
Canonical path: /irving-berlin/that-opera-rag
Related lyric paths: 6
Lyric guide
That Opera Rag
Read That Opera Rag lyrics by Irving Berlin on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
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Curated by Ethan Walker
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Lyrics
That Opera Rag
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[1st verse:]
Sam Johnson was op'ra mad
He sho' had the fever bad
He said, "Those ordinary ragtime tunes are mild
Some music from Verdi's hand
Or any old op'ra grand
Would never fail to set this op'ra darkie wild"
One evening at a ball
They heard Sam Johnson call
Unto the leaderman to play some "William Tell"
The leader swelled his chest and said, "I'll do my best"
So when he played they heard Sam Johnson yell
[Refrain:]
Hear dat strain
Mister Verdi come to life again
Oh that operatic sweet refrain
Sho' would drive a crazy man insane
Just let me die and meet those brainy men
Who manufactured notes of opera grand
Oh! Verdi where, where oh art thou?
Let me shake you by the hand, man, you know what's grand
Good Lord, it's over, they're playin' "Home Sweet Home"
[2nd verse:]
Old Sam was a painter man
One day with a brush in hand
He stood upon a scaffold 'way up in the air
A German band below
Was playin' some "Rig'letto"
Sam said, "I know that's op'ra, be it here or there"
While he daubed up the wall
He tried hard not to fall
But in the street the band kept right on playin' fair
They played some "Faust" below, just then old Sam let go
He tumbled down below a-shouting in the air
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Who performs "That Opera Rag"?
Irving Berlin performs "That Opera Rag", and this lyric page sits inside the Irving Berlin catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "That Opera Rag"?
Yes. The related section below points to (I'll See You In) C-U-B-A and (I've Got) Plenty To Be Thankful For with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Irving Berlin?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Irving Berlin's lyric pages.
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