What’s weirder is Scott Joplin’s breakthrough hit Maple Leaf Rag also has lyrics. That song is not made for lyrics.
“Go 'way man, I can hypnotize the nation,
I can shake the earth’s foundation with the Maple Leaf Rag.
Go 'way man, just hold your breath a minute,
'Cause there’s not a stunt that’s in it with the Maple Leaf Rag.”
Yeah, those lyrics suck. I’m glad the song survived them.
Would it surprise anyone that the Charleston dance song had lyrics too?