Lyrics:

Verse 1}
Won't you play some simple melody
Like my mother sang to me
One with a good old-fashioned harmony
Play some simple melody

{Verse 2}
Musical demon, set your honey a-dreamin', won't you play me some rag
Just change that classical nag to some sweet beautiful drag
If you will play from a copy of a tune that is choppy you'll get all my applause
And that is simply because I wanna listen to rag

{Verse 3A}
Play for me
That good old-fashioned harmony
Oh, won't you play for me
A simple melody

{Verse 3B}
Play from a copy of a tune that is choppy
You'll get all of my applause because
I wanna rag it
Ragtime melody


Arrangement:

Verse 1
Verse 2
Verses 1 and 2 together
--- instrumental break ---
Verses 1 and 2 together
Verses 3A and 3B together