Near Barcelona, The Peasant Crooned
The Old Traditional Spanish Tunes
The Neapolitan Street Song Sighs
You Think Of Italian Skys

Each Nation Has A Creative Vein
Originating A Native Strain
With Folk Songs Plaintive And Others Gay
In Their Own Peculiar Way

American Folk Songs, I Feel
Have A Much Stronger Appeal

The Real American Folksong Is A Rag
A Mental Jag
A Rhythmic Tonic For The Chronic Blues

The Critics Called It A "joke Song" But Now
They've Changed Their Tune, And They Like It, Somehow

For It's Innoculated With A Syncopated Sort Of Meter, Sweeter
Than A Classic Strain, Boy You Can't Remain, Still Or Quiet, For It's A Riot

The Real American Folksong
Is Like A Fountain Of Youth
You Taste, And It Elates You, And Then, Invigorates You
The Real American Folksong, The Masses Coaxed On, Is A Rag

(instrumental Break)

The Real American Folksong Is A Rag
A Mental Jag
A Rhythmic Tonic For The Chronic Blues

The Critics Called It A "joke Song" But Now
They've Changed Their Tune, And They Like It, Somehow

For It's Innoculated With A Syncopated Sort Of Meter, Sweeter
Than A Classic Strain, Boy You Can't Remain, Still Or Quiet, For It's A Riot

The Real American Folksong
Is Like A Fountain Of Youth
You Taste, And It Elates You, And Then, Invigorates You
The Real American Folksong, Is A Rag