# Lyrics to Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 8, 2003, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282 "2003-01-08T12:52:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aubries](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@aubries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aubries)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/1 "2003-01-08T12:52:15Z")
The Scott Joplin rag, “The Entertainer,” has lyrics, and I can’t remember or find them. I have no idea if they were part of the original composition, or were added after the fact, but I sang this song in a boys choir about thirty years ago, and Rowlf sang it (with the same words) on an episode of The Muppet Show. Anybody know them? ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/2 "2003-01-08T14:01:40Z")
I could not find any lyrics online and I doubt they were part of the original composition. Most likely added later. In any case you might email [Perfessor Bill](http://www.perfessorbill.com/index1.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Alto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Alto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alto)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/3 "2003-01-08T15:18:16Z")
When I was a kid we sang the following, but it’s just doggerel (pretty stupid doggerel, too), and I don’t know where we got it from: La la la la la la la la Hey Mr. Joplin, we’re singing your song. La la la la la la la la And we’re happy to say it’s going strong. La la la la la la la la The Entertainer’s so old it sounds new… And I’m afraid I forget the rest. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/4 "2003-01-08T15:18:17Z")
Well, you might want to try downloading “Ragtime Jukebox” (it’s a free program) from [http://www.beechbrook.com/pte/](http://www.beechbrook.com/pte/). There are 50, IIRC, Joplin songs on that. It’s a pretty cool program (actually slideshow). ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/5 "2003-01-08T15:30:49Z")
I saw the lyrics once in a book of sheet music, and also got the impression they were added later, by someone other than Joplin. This is all I remember: _Now the curtain is going up The entertainer is taking a bow Does his (dance step?) and sings his song Even gets the audience to sing along_… ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/6 "2003-01-08T16:12:29Z")
Per sailor IIRC “The Entertainer” did not originally have lyrics. Any lyrics are after the fact add ons. I have heard it with lyrics and I think there are several versions of lyrics for it. The popular version heard during the 70’s was from [rec.music.ragtime](http://groups.google.com/groups?q=%22Joplin%22+%22The+Entertainer%22++lyrics&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&selm=39c5e636%40nap-ns1.netconnect.net.au&rnum=3) > [@](#): > > THE ENTERTAINER > (A Rag Time Two-Step) > Music by SCOTT JOPLIN > Words by JOHN BRIMHALL > > The book: > > Source: > “SCOTT JOPLIN; Arranged for Easy Piano by JOHN BRIMHALL” > Publisher: > Charles Hansen Music & Books, Inc. > 1860 Broadway / New York, N.Y. 10023 > Copyright: > Copyright ©1974 by California Music Press, Inc., New York, N.Y. > International Copyright Secured - Made in U.S.A. - All rights reserved ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/7 "2003-01-08T19:30:06Z")
I have a collection of ragtime sheet music at home. I know original Entertainer is in there, I believe it has the version with the lyrics as well. If nobody else can come up with the lyrics, I should be able to email any interested parties. Can’t post them here verbatim, you know. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/8 "2003-01-08T19:50:21Z")
When Marvin Hamlisch arranged “The Entertainer” for the movie, “The Sting,” he (or his lyricist) added lyrics and called the song, “If They Only Could See Me Now.” I know this because I have “The Sting” Songbook sheet music. Hope this helps. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2003, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/9 "2003-01-08T22:42:56Z")
Here’s what I remember: _Hello ladies and gentlemen. … … … and when we all get together there’s no doubt as to whether we can sing up a hullabaloooo._ where each dot is a beat I don’t remember the words to. [sub]…Or maybe my third grade music teacher just made that all up for some nefarious purpose.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![AayJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@AayJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AayJay)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2011, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/10 "2011-07-18T00:31:35Z")
Here are the lyrics that I learned in grade school: Now the curtain is going up The entertainer is taking a bow Does his dance step and sings his song Even get all the audience to sing along Yes he knows what he just must do Knows how to bring down the house when he’s through ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2011, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/11 "2011-07-18T00:39:24Z")
It was Milton Berle who sang it with Rowlf on **[The Muppet Show](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FgTQep3eNU#t=03m00s)**. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2011, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/12 "2011-07-18T01:20:03Z")
Moving to Cafe Society from GQ. Please note that this thread is more than seven years old. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![adamburr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9e8a1a/32.png) [@adamburr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adamburr)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/13 "2011-10-24T22:46:10Z")
I remember a bit more… (I was very young when I learned this, about 35 years ago so please forgive any errors) Now the curtain is going up The entertainer is taking a bow Does his dance step and sings his song Even get all the audience to sing along Yes he knows just what he must do Knows how to bring down the house when he’s through Snappy patter and jokes He knows what pleases the folks The entertainer the star of the show. It was in Vaudeville And he was on the bill With all the singers, dancers, acrobats and clowns There was a dog act there Even a dancing bear And a comedian who never lets you down But when he came on To sing his favourite song He really wowed them in the cities and the towns They came from near and far To see the Vaudeville star The entertainer. I hope this helps! Regards, Adam ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2011, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/14 "2011-10-24T23:03:56Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Moving to Cafe Society from GQ. > > Please note that this thread is more than seven years old. Pish-posh. Ragtime is over a hundred. ---
**Author:** ![UntouchedTakeaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d78d45/32.png) [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2011, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/15 "2011-10-25T01:04:15Z")
…when I hit the stage, the crowd goes into a rage… Also - …they’d be so proud of me in my hometown… That’s what I remember; I had the sheet music as well. UT ---
**Author:** ![TorstenAdair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@TorstenAdair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TorstenAdair)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/16 "2013-08-08T16:50:05Z")
Johns Hopkins’ Lester S. Levy Sheet Music Collection has the original sheet music scanned as a PDF: [http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/catalog/levy:170.129](http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/catalog/levy:170.129) No lyrics exist on the original. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/17 "2013-08-08T17:11:30Z")
Um…should I feel like a dick for not knowing that Scott Joplin was black? ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/18 "2013-08-08T17:17:04Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Um…should I feel like a dick for not knowing that Scott Joplin was black? Only for thinking a white guy could have written such amazing music. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/19 "2013-08-08T17:57:16Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Um…should I feel like a dick for not knowing that Scott Joplin was black? He was, but did you come to that conclusion after looking at the caricature on the sheet music front? I don’t think that’s a portrait. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282/20 "2013-08-08T17:59:38Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > He was, but did you come to that conclusion after looking at the caricature on the sheet music front? I don’t think that’s a portrait. 🙂 No! I thought the caricature was rather crude… I was looking to see why it’s called a ‘rag’..which led to reading about ‘ragtime’, which had a picture of Mr. Joplin. And I said…wait. I want to remember exatly what I said. Ok. I think I remember: “Bwwaaaaahhh??” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-scott-joplins-the-entertainer/147282.md?page=2)